LABOUR’S Phil Dilks has stepped down from the fight to be the first Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner after revealing he was convicted of handling stolen goods as a 16-year-old.
The South Kesteven district councillor said today: “I never dreamed when I was selected that a schoolboy prank more than 44 years ago would rule me out as a candidate.”
Mr Dilks, who also serves on Deeping St James Parish Council and the Lincolnshire Police Authority, added: “I have taken independent advice about an incident in the 1960s that resulted in a £5 fine. Following clarifications from the Home Office and the Electoral Commission, it has become clear that because of what happened more than four decades ago, I must now step down.”
He said that in the school summer holidays of 1968 he was part of a group of lads, one of whom took a motorcycle crash helmet that didn’t belong to him. The helmet was left in the-then 16-year-old Mr Dilks’ family garage and he was subsequently charged with handling stolen goods.
He added: “I’m advised that it is unlikely case records still exist. But it would not be honest of me to pretend it never happened.
“I’m deeply disappointed at not being able to stand for election to help make Lincolnshire a safer and better place to live. But I trust those who know me will judge me on my work over a lifetime rather than what resulted in a £5 fine in the 1960s.”
The East Midlands Labour Party will announce a new candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire on Monday.