Former Dudley Tory councillor 'looking forward to clearing his name' in offensive messages trial
A former Tory councillor charged with sending offensive messages is 'looking forward to clearing his name' in court today.
Then Kingswinford and Wall Heath Tory Councillor Shazada Saleem was tipped to become an MP before being arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in February 2023.
The Conservative Party suspended Saleem and he was deselected as the party's candidate for the subsequent May elections.
The sexual assault case against him did not proceed but after announcing he was standing as an independent in last summer's General Election he appeared at Dudley Magistrates Court in June last year charged with leaving 'grossly offensive' voicemail messages.
Saleem is charged with "sending by means of a public electronic communications network a message a voicemail message that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character" on June 26, 2023 and then again two days later.
Saleem, 38, pleaded not guilty to both charges last July and is facing a one day trial at Walsall Magistrates Court today.
He told the Express & Star: "I am glad to finally have my day in court. This has been a nightmare. My whole life has been turned upside down because of this and has really effected my mental health.
"This has taken years to get here due to the backlog in the courts system. I have had to remain silent throughout."
Saleem, of Ploverdale Crescent, Kingswinford, failed in electoral bids since leaving the Conservative Party. However, he continues to campaign in Kingswinford on issues including mobile phone masts and road safety.
