A COUNCILLOR accused of trying to steal money will face a judge next month after prosecutors decided to pursue the case.

David Gawn, of Lankers Drive, South Harrow, appeared afresh at Hendon Magistrates’ Court on Monday on a charge of the attempted theft of £7,000 belong to Dennis O’Brien on or before August 5 last year.

His case was committed to Harrow Crown Court and the Labour ward councillor for Harrow on the Hill was granted unconditional bail to appear for a plea hearing there on June 22.

Gawn previously appeared on the same charge twice before at the same magistrates’ court, on January 5 and on February 23, before the court discharged the committal of the case to the crown court, on March 15.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) formally re-charged Gawn and re-registered the case on March 27, leading to Monday’s hearing.

Gawn’s solicitor Julian Prus told the Observer his client will deny the charge.

The national Labour Party has suspended Gawn from Harrow Council’s Labour Group until the matter is resolved.

Gawn, a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a director of Community Arts Media, was first elected to the authority in May 2006 for Marlborough ward before switching wards for his second term.