September 2020

Disgraced former councillor convicted of having indecent images of children

 

A former Oldham councillor handed a suspended prison sentence for having indecent photographs of children didn’t download the pictures on his town hall-issued laptop, the council has said.

Rod Blyth, who had represented Shaw ward on the council, has also been placed on the sex offender register for ten years.

At a court hearing at Manchester Crown Court Minshull Street in December, Blyth was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for two years, for three offences of making indecent photographs of children.

He had pleaded guilty in May 2019.

Blyth was also ordered to complete 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement and was handed a sexual harm prevention order for five years.

There have been rumours on social media in recent weeks that the former elected member used equipment issued by Oldham council to access illegal images of children.

The town hall has confirmed Blyth did not use his council laptop to download indecent images.