Former Sunderland councillor appears in court charged with eight sex offences against children

Thomas Wright, 66, is alleged to have committed the crimes on boys and girls aged under 16.

Magistrates in South Tyneside told Wright, of no fixed abode but previously of First Street, Leadgate, Consett, that three of the offences were so serious they could only be tried by a judge at crown court.

He is due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday, December 17.

Wright is charged with a total of eight offences which are all historic.

The charges were not read out in court and Wright, who attended the hearing on crutches, did not enter any pleas.

Wright is accused of committing an indecent assault on a male and two charges of indecent assault against a female.

He is also accused of three charges of committing a serious sex offence against a male and two of indecent assault against a male.

All the alleged offences happened in Sunderland.

During the five-minute hearing Wright spoke only to tell the court he was of no fixed abode and that he understood the charges he faced.

Wright was a Labour councillor in the St Anne’s from 2002 until he stepped down in May last year.

While serving as a councillor, Mr Wright was appointed to the board of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority, Pennywell Community Association, Gentoo Operations Committee and Gentoo Sunderland.