The leader of Bradford Council has called on a disgraced councillor who admitted animal cruelty charges to resign.

Independent councillor Robert Payne, who represents Keighley West ward, was remanded in custody on Wednesday after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to four cats which resulted in their deaths.

The latest court appearance follows an earlier conviction in June for fraud involving an accountancy firm he ran.

Under local authority rules the former Tory councillor is free to continue in his role unless he is jailed for more than three months.

However, Council leader Ian Greenwood has now called on the disgraced councillor to take the matters into his own hands. Coun Greenwood said: “I have got to say I thought Coun Robert Payne should have resigned when he was found guilty of fraud.

  • Read more ont his story in today's T&A