The Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire County Council has received a letter of resignation from David Boswell in relation to his role as County Councillor and also as Pembroke Town Councillor.

As Returning Officer, Mr. Ian Westley is making immediate arrangements to hold a by-election for the County Council ward of Pembroke St Mary North and also for the Town Council if called.

The fifty-six-year-old former Pembroke mayor, known as Dai was sentenced to 18 years in prison last month after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting two young girls during the early 1990s.

He was convicted of three counts of indecent assault and one of rape following a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

“The Council will, together with the Welsh Local Government Association, be lobbying Welsh Government for a change in legislation to address the lack of immediate powers of suspension following conviction and sentence for such serious offences,” said a spokesperson for PCC.

“The Council has, throughout the past year, carried out extensive efforts with its partner agencies - including the Town Council - to put safeguarding first and to ensure that Mr. Boswell did not carry out ward work, attend Council events or attend meetings which would place him in contact with, or make any key decisions in relation to, children.

“The Council has also, since the date of conviction, made every effort to bring the matter to a swift conclusion.

“Our thoughts go out to the victims and families affected and we thank them for their immense courage in bringing this matter forward. We also thank Dyfed-Powys police who have worked closely with the Council throughout this difficult period.”