SEFTON COUNCILLOR CONVICTED OF CHILD SEX IMAGE OFFENCES
Families have called on Sefton Council to introduce DBS checks for elected councillors after Sefton's former mayor pleaded guilty to child sex offences.Paul Tweed was the serving councillor for Litherland ward when a police investigation found he possessed sickening child sex images.
The 62-year-old Tweed was initially charged with three counts of making indecent images of children and told police he had viewed the sick images 'by accident when browsing pornography'.
He appeared in court and pleaded guilty to the charges.
His family home was raided after police intelligence indicated indecent material was being viewed there.
During the investigation, he claimed he viewed the images by accident and denied any interest in children.
A forensic report later revealed 160 images of children, including 80 pictures and videos categorized as most serious (category A), with victims as young as five.
Tweed also possessed 15 files of extreme pornography showing bestiality.
After the convictions, Sefton Council asked Tweed to resign, but he remained an elected member as an independent.
His actions have sparked a campaign for mandatory DBS checks for councillors, with community members questioning how to restore trust after such crimes.
The issue will be discussed at the next council meeting.
Tweed's past includes numerous high-ranking local government positions, including Mayor of Sefton during 2008/09.
