A FOREST district councillor is to be tried again on five charges of rape after a jury failed to reach verdicts at his first trial, a judge has been told.

James Tucker, for the Crown Prosecution Service, told Gloucester Crown Court on Friday (July 22) that they had decided to proceed with the charges at a second trial of Cllr Ian Whitburn, 59, of Newland Street, Coleford.

Earlier this month, the original jury found Mr Whitburn not guilty of three alleged rapes of a woman and one charge of using coercive and controlling behaviour towards her.

They could not agree on the remaining five rape counts.

He denies all the allegations, which are dated between October 23 2015 and March 17 2017.

Judge Ian Lawrie QC ruled that the retrial is suitable for hearing at the ‘Nightingale Court’ in Cirencester and indicated it would take place at the end of this year or early next year.

Mr Whitburn was first elected as an Independent candidate to Forest of Dean District Council in 2011 and represented the Mitcheldean and Drybook ward.

He now represents Coleford ward, also as an independent.