A POLICE and Crime Commissioner candidate who claimed his advertising campaign was sabotaged by a rival candidate has attracted more unwanted attention.

Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Jones was snapped by a member of the public having attached the advertising hoarding to a fence at the entrance to Billingham Beck Country Park.

While it is understood no complaint was received, Stockton Council, which is responsible for the park – known locally as Billingham Bottoms – said Cllr Jones “had apologised and will be removing the advertisement”.

The Redcar councillor previously accused the Conservative PCC candidate Steve Turner of plotting with Teesside fitness entrepreneur Mike Hind to block the advertisement for his election campaign after Cllr Jones parked the trailer on which it stands near the Teesworks industrial site in Redcar.

Mr Hind admitted he had placed a van advertising his healthy meals business directly in front of the political ad, but denied he had been “put up” to it by Cllr Turner.

Cllr Turner denied he had any involvement and said he was not interested in “silly politics”.

Referring to the Billingham location, Cllr Jones said: “I thought about where I put it, but I did not check ownership mapping and I may have dropped a boo boo.

“I did put it where it wasn’t causing a hazard or blocking the pavement.

“The idea is to leave it in places for 24 hours where you get commuters and they see it when they are going to work and coming back.

“I am trying to be honest and transparent and keep everything legal and above board.”

:: The other two candidates standing for the Cleveland PCC post are Labour’s Matt Storey and independent Barrie Cooper, who are both Middlesbrough councillors.