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A councillor has resigned from the Conservative Party and will appear in court after being accused of child sex offences.

Cllr David Smith, who represents Coulby Newham on Middlesbrough Council , has been charged with nine counts of sexual touching of a child.

The 30-year-old has denied all allegations against him and says he will fight to clear his name.

He is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on August 7 in connection with the alleged offences.

Cllr Smith has resigned from the Conservative Party but intends to remain as a councillor.

In a statement he said: “I am writing to inform you I am resigning from the Conservative Party and the Middlesbrough Council Conservative group with immediate effect in light of the allegations that have been made against me.

“I completely reject these spurious allegations and removing myself from the party will ensure I can focus all my efforts on fighting to clear my name."

Cllr Smith has been a councillor for just over two months after being elected in May.

His said his election was a “particular highlight in my life”.

His statement added: “I have worked hard to ensure I serve the people of Coulby Newham to the best of my ability.

“From tackling the issue of pot holes, ordering bollards to be installed to ensure the public stop parking on a resident’s property, highlighting the ever increasing issue of drug use and being a very proud advocate of the local LGBTQ community.

“This is who I am as a person and a community activist.

“The allegations made against my character are nothing more than damaging lies and moving forward, I will seek to prove this is the case in a court of law.”

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “30-year-old David Smith has been charged with nine counts of sexual activity with a child. He is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 7 August.”

Since his election, Cllr Smith made headlines when he successfully petitioned Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston to trial gender-neutral toilets at Middlesbrough Council .

In June he apologised for comments he made to the Middlesbrough FC fan page Fly Me To The Moon in which he referred to people on benefits as “rotten pond life families that should be sterilised and washed” .