September 26, 2019 10.19 am This story is over 54 months old

Former leader of North East Lincolnshire in court over drink-driving charge

Ray Oxby stepped down as leader of the then Labour-led council in March
Former leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Councillor Ray Oxby. Picture: Daniel Jaines.

The former leader of North East Lincolnshire Council Ray Oxby is to appear in court next month after being charged with drink-driving.

Mr Oxby stepped down as leader of the Labour council in March and did not stand in May’s local elections when his party lost the council leadership to the Conservatives.

At the time, he released a statement saying it was due to ill-health and the abuse he had received from residents – particularly around the decision over Tollbar Roundabout.

Prior to his decision, he was understood to be involved in a collision with his garden wall on Dursley Avenue, in Waltham, and it is for this he is appearing in court.

Mr Oxby has been charged with both drink-driving and careless driving and will appear at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court on October 15.

Mr Oxby, who had been leader since 2015, said he wanted to spend more time with his family, particularly his grandchildren, when he stepped down.

It was understood abuse over the Toolbar decision had included excrement being put through Mr Oxby’s door as well as verbal abuse which “went beyond fair political comment”.

Liberal Democrat leader Ian Barfield at the time hit out at those who went “to extremes to abuse councillors”.

SUBSCRIBE TO LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEKLY, our exclusive email newsletter with highlights from coverage every week, as well as insights and analysis from our local democracy reporters.