Tory candidate admits 75 crimes

The Tory prospective parliamentary candidate for Watford has admitted 75 offences of intimidation and harrassment against local Lib Dems over the past two years, and is awaiting sentence. Thirty-one-year-old Ian Oakley wrote "scum, scum perv" on the wall of a councillor's house, twice slashed councillors' car tyres, sent letters to their neighbours accusing them of being paedophiles, and made late-night silent phone calls to his political rival's home.

Sal Brinton, the Lib Dem candidate for the Labour-held seat, received letters from Oakley saying "go back to Cambridge you evil bitch" and addressed to "Sal Bitchton".

Oakley, who was caught by fingerprint and CCTV evidence, initially denied the accusations but said he was "actively involved" in "robust campaigning". Admitting his crimes later, he said he was motivated by "by the desire to change the political landscape in Watford for the benefit of the Conservative party". Yesterday he was bailed and sentencing was adjourned until September 16 for psychiatric reports to be compiled.