Assault councillor backed by the BNP

| Tuesday, 16 August 2005 Source: Burnley Express

A BRITISH National Party councillor is set to be sentenced for attacking his wife and a police officer – but will keep his job.

Burnley magistrates on Friday told Brian Turner that he will escape a custodial sentence, but he will receive the community order after pleading guilty to assaulting his wife and the police officer who was called to the scene.

Turner (42) is the BNP councillor for Cliviger and Worsthorne.

The party has said it is supporting him and his place on Burnley Borough Council, but opposition councillors have called for his resignation.

Turner, of Chiltern Avenue, Burnley, was arrested on February 5th this year, after reports of a domestic violence incident at a house in St Cuthbert Street, Burnley.

The court was told at a previous hearing how Turner, who has 11 previous convictions, was aggressive towards the police officer who tried to restrain him, and kicked him in the leg.

Turner is still awaiting sentencing, as his case has been adjourned several times for pre-sentence reports to be prepared. An earlier charge of criminal damage was dropped in February.

New BNP leader for Burnley, Coun. Sharon Wilkinson, who attended the hearing with other BNP councillors, said that magistrates told Turner that he would receive a "low-level" community punishment.

Turner is currently on conditional bail and will return to Burnley Magistrates' Court for sentencing on September 22nd.