A DISGRACED former Great Yarmouth mayor could face jail after he admitted a string of forgery charges involving thousands of pounds when he appeared at Norwich Crown Court yesterday.
A DISGRACED former Great Yarmouth mayor could face jail after he admitted a string of forgery charges involving thousands of pounds when he appeared at Norwich Crown Court yesterday.
Former Yarmouth borough councillor Jonathan Russell, 48, of Salisbury Road, Yarmouth, pleaded guilty to forgery and his case was adjourned for reports until March 17.
This is the second time he has appeared in court charged with forgery.
In 2005 he was given a 200-hour community service order and ordered to pay �2,261 costs after he was convicted of passing a forged letter to try to help his in-laws sell their property.
On that occasion Russell, who was mayor at the time, passed on a letter to an estate agent claiming outline plans had been submitted for Gorleston Trading Depot in Baker Street, which was owned by his in-laws at the time.
At that time the judge said that Russell had betrayed the trust of those who had elected him and brought disgrace to the office of mayor.
Russell joined the borough council in 1994, representing Gorleston, and during the 11 years he served as a Conservative councillor he stood on a number of committees.
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