Ashfield independents back their leader after arrest

Ashfield independents are backing their deputy leader after he was stopped by police and charged with several offences.
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Coun Tom Hollis, the deputy leader for Ashfield District council, was recently charged with driving without due care and attention, obstructing police and resisting arrest.

He has been released on conditional bail, to appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on February 5.

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Defending the 27-year-old, of Windmill Lane, Sutton in Ashfield, the group said in a statement given to the CHAD they were "very confident" that Councillor Hollis would be cleared of all charges.

Councillor Tom Hollis, Councillor Tom Hollis,
Councillor Tom Hollis,

Ashfield Independent Spokesperson said: “Tom was originally pulled for speeding. The police’s actions will lead to more questions being asked. In a democracy everyone has a right for their case to best tested in court.

“Everyone is innocent before being proven guilty.

"Having looked closely at this case, we are very confident that Councillor Hollis will be cleared of all charges, in fact we have cctv to prove it. He will be continuing the excellent job he has been doing as Deputy Leader of our Council.

"This includes personally securing £2 million for our new Leisure Centre in Kirkby, being behind the first Council Housing being built for a generation and leading the humanitarian effort during the Coronavirus lockdown.”

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Police have now issused a statement on the matter, after the alleged incident which was reported to have happened earlier this month on September 17.

In the statement, a police spokesperson said: “Police have charged a man after officers saw a vehicle travelling at speed along a road in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

A car was spotted by officers on patrol heading along Outram Street shortly after 9.50pm on Thursday, September 17.

After a short distance officers caught up with the vehicle on the forecourt of a nearby petrol station in Northern Bridge Road and the driver was arrested.

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Thomas Hollis, 27, of Windmill Close, Sutton-in-Ashfield, has since been charged with driving without due care and attention, obstructing police and resisting arrest.

The statemet added: “He has been released on conditional bail and due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court, on February 5.”