Councillor 'assault claim is lie'

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Cardiff Crown Court has heard how a Labour councillor and school governor indecently assaulted a woman who asked him for help over a housing issue.

Idris Jones, 77, a councillor with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is accused of putting his hands down the back of the woman's jeans and trying to kiss her.

The woman claims the offence took place at the her home when she asked for help on getting a new council house.

Mr Jones from Cwmbach near Aberdare, denies indecent assault.

The court heard how the 28-year-old woman contacted Mr Jones - also a trustee director of Victim Support and his local Crime Prevention Panel - to get some advice.

He was sitting very close to me and touched me on the leg Woman

She told the court: "I called councillor Jones because I was desperate to move away from my flat.

"My ex-partner was living above me and there was trouble. He had beaten me up.

"When Councillor Jones came to my flat he sat next to me on the sofa and asked if he could see the bruises on my legs.

"I pulled my jeans up to my knees and I was crying. He was sitting very close to me and touched me on the leg."

She told the jury Mr Jones said: "We'll get this sorted out."

The mother-of-two said he had followed her around her flat and put his hands down the back of her jeans while giving her a "sympathetic hug".

She said Mr Jones told her "eveything would be ok" and that "a beautiful girl like you should not put up with this".

This is a tissue of lies. I'm 77 and I don't think about sex like that Cllr Idris Jones

The woman alleges Mr Jones then slid his hands over her buttocks for a second time.

She said: "I'd twisted away from him and opened the door for him to leave. He leaned over and stuck his tongue out as he went to kiss me on the mouth.

"I turned my head and he kissed me on the cheek."

The court heard how Mr Jones, who denies the charges, said the woman invented the story in order to speed up an application for a new council house.

The jury heard that Mr Jones told police: "This is a tissue of lies. I'm 77 and I don't think about sex like that.

'Bewildered'

"And at my age I'm not going to destroy the trust so many people have in me - no way.

"I may have been trying to act as a protective father figure. But that is because I am a family man.

"I am a trusted member of the community. I am a socialist and a Christian. These are all lies."

He told the court: "When I went in to the flat I was appalled by what I saw.

"It was a mess and there were beer cans lying around on the ground.

"I did not touch her knee and I did not touch her inappropriately.

"I was bewildered when I was arrested. I have no idea why she made this complaint."

The court heard the woman has been charged three times this year for shoplifting and dishonestly trying to cash a neighbour's social security cheque.

The trial continues.