A FOREST councillor was bailed after he denied seven charges of rape and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour over an 18 month period.

At Gloucester Crown Court Ian Whitburn, 59, of Newland Street, Coleford pleaded not guilty to eight counts of rape and one count of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour.

The allegations relate to alleged incidents between 2015 and 2017.

The case has been listed for a five-day trial and is due to start at the Cirencester Courthouse on Monday,June 27.

Cllr Whitburn was released on conditional bail.

The rapes are alleged to have taken place in Lydney on October 23, 2015, October 30, 2015, March 25 2016, April 9, 2016, on July 15, 2016, August 23, 2016 and March 17, 2017

It is also alleged he engaged in course of co-ercive behaviour between December 29, 2015 and March 19, 2017 by using emotional and financial abuse and controlling when and whom the alleged victim could socialise with and controlling where she could work.

Mr Whitburn was elected an Independent district councillor for Coleford in May 2019.