Macclesfield councillor in court

A Macclesfield councillor accused of strangulation and trying to pervert the course of justice appeared in court via a prison video link.

Councillor Ashley Farrall, who represents Macclesfield Central Ward on Cheshire East Council, appeared remotely at Chester Crown Court where he had been expected to enter a plea.

The hearing was adjourned until April 1.

He is on remand at HMP Altcourse accused of one count of intentional strangulation and one of committing a series of acts with intent to pervert the course of justice.

Farrall, 42, of Ellenbrook Road, Manchester, had been part of Cheshire East’s Labour group – elected to the council in 2019 – but now non-grouped.

At Tuesday’s court session, his plea hearing was rescheduled to April 1, with Judge Michael Leeming pencilling in a provisional three-day trial date for August 4.