A former police and crime commissioner candidate accused of lying on his nomination papers has chosen to fight his case before a jury.
Jonathon Seed, 63, is said to have falsely declared on nomination papers in March 2021 that he was not disqualified from standing in the Swindon and Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner election in May.
The former army officer and hunt master had a previous conviction, dating back to 1993, that disbarred him from the role.
Appearing before Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning, Seed, of Chittoe, Wiltshire, pleaded not guilty to breaching the Police and Crime Commissioner Candidate Election Order.
The councillor told District Judge Paul Goldspring, the Chief Magistrate and the most senior district judge in England: “I wish to be tried by a jury.”
Seed appeared in court via video link. Thanking the court for allowing his client to appear over the video link, defence lawyer Mark Bowen said Seed had had a long-booked horse event to go to and was ‘concerned that he would not be able to get back in time for the hearing’.
The defendant was granted unconditional bail to appear before Oxford Crown Court on November 18 for a pre-trial preparation hearing.
The investigation has been lef by Thames Valley Police’s economic crime unit.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on [email protected] or 01865 425 445.
