Keith Brookes denies sex act while sunbathing naked

SENIOR North East Lincolnshire councillor Keith Brookes has denied claims that he committed a sex act while sunbathing naked in his garden.

He is alleged to have been spotted doing so by children who were said to have been looking through a fence, a court heard.

Brookes, 67, of Bolingbroke Road, Cleethorpes, made his second appearance before Grimsby Magistrates' Court yesterday.

He denied a charge of outraging public decency by behaving in an indecent manner by committing a sex act in his garden, in the presence of other people, including children, on July 13.

Prosecutor Martin Howarth told the court that the offence is alleged to have happened while Brookes was sunbathing naked on a sun lounger in a private area of his garden.

The prosecution claimed that his presence came to the attention of young children.

The prosecution believed that the matter was suitable to be heard by a magistrates' court, said Mr Howarth.

District judge Daniel Curtis agreed that the case could be heard in the magistrates' court but Brookes elected to have his case dealt with before a jury.

The case was sent to Grimsby Crown Court, where a trial will be arranged at a later date.

Brookes was represented by solicitor Ernie Lidster, who said the matter was "strenuously denied".

He told the court that Brookes had been living away from his home since the case was previously in court.

"He is a man who has held several high positions in the local community," said Mr Lidster.

Brookes appeared before court smartly dressed in a blue pinstripe suit, white shirt and blue tie.

He had been on conditional bail but previous conditions were removed and he was allowed unconditional bail.

The charge is very unusual and is rarely heard in courts. It has been brought under Common Law.

Brookes, a former Cleethorpes Mayor, has been suspended by the Conservative Party in light of the case.

Brookes appeared in court for the first hearing of the case after spending the weekend in custody.

He was not in court last time after being excused attendance.