THE former council leader who admitted 14 child porn charges has resigned as a councillor.

Kenneth Leadbeater stepped down as the leader of Dartford council in February, after police raided his house and launched an investigation.

But he remained as the councillor for Heath ward in Dartford borough until Tuesday, when he sent a letter of resignation to the council’s managing director, Graham Harris.

Leadbeater, of Water Mill Way, Sutton-at-Hone, appeared at Dartford Magistrates’ Court on Friday, when he admitted 14 charges of downloading 320 pornographic images of children from the internet.

Fellow councillors said his position had become "untenable" in light of his guilty plea, and urged him to resign swiftly.

In his letter of resignation, Leadbeater wrote: "I am devastated by what has happened and I am deeply sorry for what I have done and for the hurt which I have caused to colleagues, friends, neighbours, family and residents. I have let them all down."

Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite said: "I believe it is in the best interests of the council and the residents of Dartford, particularly in Heath ward."

Leadbeater also resigned from his post as deputy chairman and secretary of the Ballet Association.

He is due to be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court for the child porn charges.

FOR THE FULL STORY SEE THIS WEEK'S DARTFORD MESSENGER.