A newly elected councillor was in court today accused of indecently assaulting a boy when he was a police officer.

Gurpal Virdi, of Firs Drive, Cranford, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning charged with indecently assaulting a boy aged under 16.

The former detective, who also faces a charge of misconduct in public office, was bailed to appear at Southwark Crown Court on June 12.

Mr Virdi was last week elected as a Labour councillor for Cranford , although he has been suspended by the party pending the outcome of the court case.

The 55-year-old was charged with the offences on April 25, less than a month before voters went to the polls at last Thursday's (May 22) local elections.

The allegations relate to the period between September 30 and December 31, 1986. He was summonsed to appear at court following an investigation by the Directorate of Professional Standards into an allegation of a historic indecent assault of a male prisoner.