Councillor Farooq Ahmed found guilty of section 4 public order offence
Date published: 11 June 2014
Councillor Farooq Ahmed
Councillor Farooq Ahmed has been found guilty of a section 4 public order offence and fined £1,000 by magistrates today (Wednesday 11 June).
The court heard from the prosecution that Councillor Ahmed hurled homophobic abuse at fellow Councillor Neil Emmott during a row in the street in January.
Councillor Ahmed pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations but having heard Councillor Emmott's account and that of two witnesses, a guilty verdict was returned.
Speaking to Rochdale Online after the verdict, Councillor Emmott said: "I took no pleasure in reporting a fellow Labour councillor. I am not gloating but I am pleased that justice has been done and it is the end of the matter."
Councillor Ahmed is currently suspended from the Labour party and it is not yet known what the ramifications of the guilty verdict will have on his membership and his role as a Rochdale councillor.
Councillor Ahmed said: "I am disappointed with the verdict and still deny the allegations. I admit being angry and conforting Neil but I did not use homophobic insults. The two witnesses saw the confrontation but did not witness any homophobic language."
Councillor Ahmed was also ordered to pay £625 costs and £250 compensation.
Do you have a story for us?
Let us know by emailing news@rochdaleonline.co.uk
All contact will be treated in confidence.
Most Viewed News Stories
- 1Drugs and cash seized during morning raids at suspected stash houses
- 2Ogden family announces intention to invest £2m in Rochdale AFC
- 3Middleton school hails another outstanding inspection result
- 4Man convicted after police car filmed driving dangerously in Kirkholt
- 5Former councillor and hospital campaigner Jean Ashworth has died
To contact the Rochdale Online news desk, email news@rochdaleonline.co.uk or visit our news submission page.
To get the latest news on your desktop or mobile, follow Rochdale Online on Twitter and Facebook.
