'Plonkers' pair in court

Both of the men live in Ilfracombe

Two town councillors accused of calling their colleagues plonkers in the council chamber have appeared in court.

Tony Cooper, 42, and Brian Cotton, 64, councillors on Ilfracombe Town Council in north Devon, face a charge of pursuing a course of conduct which amounted to harassment of fellow councillors.

The single charge goes on to say that the pair used terms of verbal abuse and distributed a broadsheet containing words of an offensive nature.

Both men deny the charge and the case was adjourned by Exeter magistrates.

'Unusual case'

The prosecution said they needed a two-week adjournment for a senior CPS lawyer to "carefully review" the evidence because of the public interest "in this slightly unusual case".

Stephen Gowing, for Mr Cotton, told the court that his client "felt there was a conspiracy against him by members of the town council to oust him from office because of his get up and go approach".

Michael Oerton, representing Mr Cooper, told the bench: "It is something of a blow because he would like to see the delicate case move forward."

Both men, who live in Ilfracombe, were granted unconditional bail until the end of the month.