A MIDDLESBROUGH Council group leader is to appear in court accused of fraud and forgery offences.
Cllr Jon Rathmell, leader of the Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association (MICA), has been charged with fraud by false representation and two counts of using a false instrument.
The 41-year-old, of Mallowdale, Nunthorpe, is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court later this year.
Cllr Rathmell briefly stepped down as leader of the MICA group in October last year citing ill health before returning as the group’s leader earlier this year.
The Nunthorpe councillor is well known for his outspoken style inside and outside the council chamber.
In the run-up to last May’s local elections, Cllr Rathmell had been a prominent supporting voice in the Middlesbrough Mayor election campaign of independent Andy Preston.
But in the weeks and months following Mr Preston’s election, there was a distinct cooling of relations between the former allies which finally spilt over into a war of words last year.
A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “Police have charged a 41-year-old man from the Nunthorpe area with fraud by false representation and two counts of using a false instrument.
“Jon Rathmell of Mallowdale, Nunthorpe, is due to appear in court on Monday, October 5.”
Cllr Rathmell has been contacted for comment.
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