A ward by-election is set to be held after a councillor was accused of multiple sex offences. The vacancy for Murston near Sittingbourne has arisen after James Hall failed to attend meetings in the last six months. Cllr Hall was charged with a total of 31 offences – some of them dating back almost 40 years earlier this year and in August he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court alongside his wife and son. He has served the authority since 2015 and lives on Tonge Road, Murston. The councillor pleaded not guilty after being charged with six offences of rape, nine of indecency with a child, 12 of ind…
