A scout leader and former ‘Villager of the Year’ facing child sex offences is due to appear in court today.

Roland Frankel, 61, of Theydon Park Road in Theydon Bois, is accused of possessing indecent images of children, attempting to engage in sexual activity with a minor and attempting to pay for sex with a girl aged between 13 and 15.

The offences are alleged to have happened on November 13 in 2013.

The former Lib Dem Councillor for Theydon Bois was charged after voluntarily attending a police station in the same month.

He is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates Court today for a preliminary hearing.

The Lib Dems have confirmed he has been suspended by the party, having previously said it was unaware of the charges.

He was suspended as Scout Leader for the Theydon Bois 1st Scout Group when Essex police contacted them in 2013.

Frankel was also chosen as Theydon Bois Villager of the Year last year.