THE Mayor of Peterlee has appeared in court accused of grooming a boy.

Councillor Lee Cook appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court today charged with attempting to meet a boy under the age of 16. 

The 29-year-old man, of Quantock Place, Peterlee, indicated a plea of guilty to the charge.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at a plea and case management hearing at Durham Crown Court on Friday, August 25.

The charge read: "On August 5 at Peterlee in the county of Durham, being a person aged 18 or over, having on one or more occasions met or communicated with a boy under the age of 16, namely, 15, not reasonably believing he was aged 16 or over, you attempted to meet him.

"And you intended to do something to or in respect of him during or after the meeting which, if done, would have involved the commission by you of a relevant offence as defined in section of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, namely for sexual activity."

A spokesman for the North East Party, which he represents as a member for the Edenhill area of the town, said it has suspended Mr Cook while the investigation continues.

A statement issued after he was arrested at the weekend said: "The North East Party has become aware of the arrest of one of our members.

"We have no prior knowledge or information about this matter and have acted immediately to suspend the person concerned while any police inquiry or legal process takes place.

"Senior North East Party members have also taken immediate action to ensure that all the work of the party continues on the basis of 'business as usual'.

"In the interests of justice the North East Party will be making no further comment at this time."