A councillor convicted of sex crimes has stood down.

Russell Tillson, 72, was deputy leader of Shepway District Council (now Folkestone & Hythe District) from 2013-2015, and until this week sat on New Romney Town Council and Dymchurch Parish Council.

He was convicted last week of four sex offences committed against boys at the prestigious private Tonbridge School, where he taught economics and served as head of sixth form between 1980 and 2001.

At Maidstone Crown Court prosecutor Dominic Connolly had told the jury that Tillson had grabbed the genitalia of three boys he taught.

He was accused of six offences and convicted of four.

Judge Philip St John-Stevens told him: "You have been convicted on four counts and a term of imprisonment is likely if not inevitable."

Late last week, after the conviction, both the councils on which he sat issued statements on their websites detailing that they couldn’t remove him from his seat.

“The parish council has no power or authority under British law to suspend any democratically elected member from office for any reason,” it read.

“Therefore the above-mentioned councillor currently may remain a serving councillor, under UK law, until at least such time as sentencing takes place and the outcome of sentencing is known.”

Tillson is due for sentencing on September 1, and if he is jailed for more than three months, would have automatically been removed from his seats.

However, New Romney Town Council posted on their website today (July 4) that “a formal letter of resignation was received from the aforementioned councillor and, having been received by the council chairman, was effective immediate.”

Dymchurch Parish Council confirmed Tillson also resigned his seat on that council the same day.

His seat of Coast Ward on New Romney Town Council, and his seat on Dymchurch Parish Council are now vacant.

In both cases, if 10 voters write to the council to demand an election, the seat will face a by-election for Tillson’s vacant position.

However, if not enough people demand an election, new members will be appointed by co-option, meaning no vote is needed and individuals can simply apply for the position.

Tillson has been contacted for comment.