A Connah's Quay town councillor has apologised to his community after he was convicted of driving without insurance and failing to provide a breath specimen when suspected of drink-driving.

The Leader reported last week how Ryan O'Gorman, aged 43 and of Kingston Drive, received a community order and a driving ban after he failed to provide a specimen for analysis and drove a Volvo motor vehicle without insurance.

Wrexham Magistrates Court heard the offences happened on January 28 at Gateshead.

He was also sentenced after he admitted that when he was meant to be in court in Sunderland for the above offences, he failed to surrender to custody.

The actions of the Connah's Quay town councillor, have now been condemned by the Leader of his town council, Cllr Bernie Attridge.

Cllr Attridge said he had discussed the matters with the council's clerk and from a code of conduct and policy point of view, the authority could not take any formal action against Cllr O'Gorman as he had not been jailed for three months or more for the offences.

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He said however: "At the end of the day, as Leader of Connah's Quay Town Council, I am very disappointed in what Ryan has done."

A resident who did not wish to be named approached the Leader to share their views that the councillor's behaviour had been "disgusting," stating it was a bad example for the community and that he should "step down" from his council position.

Cllr Attridge said that any response to criticism or backlash from constituents or colleagues regarding his position would be a matter for Cllr O'Gorman to decide.

Cllr O'Gorman told the Leader: "The town council is a voluntary position and I give up a lot of time to help my community.

"Have I made a mistake? Yes.

"Am I accepting the punishment? Yes.

"I've made a misjudgement and a major error - I know I have let people down and I accept that.

"I had a lot going on in my personal life and I will pay my penance through the sentence, but as for my community; I love it.

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The Leader:

"I joined the town council because I care, and I won't step aside.

"I've been stupid and it has cost me - but going forward if I can keep helping the community, I will.

"If I was a county councillor, I'd have resigned without a doubt. But I'm not. I volunteer to do this, because I care.

"I would like to apologise to the community, my friends and my family."