Ex-Hastings councillor convicted of child sexual offences dies
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
Matthew J Lock, 39, of Ore Place, passed away following minor surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton on Saturday (September 24), a Sussex Police spokesman said today (Tuesday, September 27).
Earlier this month Lock had pleaded guilty to 19 child sexual offences at a hearing at Lewes Crown Court.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe police spokesman said: “There are no suspicious circumstances and the matter has been passed to the coroner’s officer.”
Lock, a former Hastings Borough Councillor, was charged with 28 offences in total and pleaded not guilty to nine.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of a child, one count of distributing indecent photographs of a child, two charges of distributing/showing indecent photographs of a child or children, two counts of attempting to intentionally incite a child to engage in sexual activity, 10 counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, and one charge of attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
The attempted incitement offences took place between 2010 and 2013, online, involving two separate boys who are not from Sussex, are not known to each other with no local safeguarding issues.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe indecent images offences happened between 2006 and 2013.
Lock was remanded in custody in August after appearing in court at an earlier hearing.
The former St Helen’s ward representative resigned from the council in May last year, citing ‘personal problems’ and ‘ill health’.
But it was later revealed the ex-Conservative group leader had been on police bail for six months after being arrested in November 2014.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdLock was a leader at 1st Battle Scouts until the allegations came to light.
Lock was due to be sentenced on November 25.
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
1) Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver
3) Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news.
Be part of it.