WARRINGTON Borough Council leader Russ Bowden will stand trial next year after being charged with electoral malpractice.

Cllr Bowden appeared before Liverpool Crown Court today, Friday, to face three charges of providing false information for a purpose connected with the registration of electors and one of permitting a false statement to be furnished to a returning officer at an election.

He denied the latter count during an earlier appearance at Warrington Magistrates Court, but was not asked to enter pleas to the remaining three.

Court lists state that the alleged offences involve the 52-year-old providing his home address as a house in Birchwood on April 6 2021 while standing at the 2021 full council elections, when he was instead living at a property in Lower Walton.

Judge Brian Cummings said: “You have pleaded not guilty therefore the next stage in the process will be the trial.

"It may seem a long way off, it is indeed nearly a year off, but you may just find it comes around sooner than you think.

"The trial is further away than anyone would wish. There will have to be a very good reason for moving that date backwards.

“You are subject to court obligations.”

His trial - estimated to last five days - has been fixed for January 9 2023.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said when Cllr Bowden was first charged in November: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Cheshire Police to charge a man in connection with allegations of electoral malpractice.

“Earlier this year, Cheshire Police received information relating to the Warrington local council elections 2021.

“Detectives launched an investigation into the matter and, following advice received from the CPS, a number of charges have now been authorised.

“Russell Bowden has been charged with one count of providing a false statement in nomination papers contrary to Section 65A of the Representation of the People Act 1983 and three counts of providing false information to a registration officer contrary to Section 13D of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

“Cheshire Police and the CPS would like to remind everyone that criminal proceedings against Bowden are live and that he has a right to a fair trial.”

Cllr Bowden has been council leader since late 2018, having previously served as deputy under his late predecessor Terry O’Neill.

The Labour politician retained his Birchwood seat following May’s all-out elections, and was subsequently backed to continue as council leader until 2024.