CONVICTED child rapist county councillor Dai Boswell has resigned as both town and county councillor, effective from today, August 1.

The Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire County Council Ian Westley received the letter of resignation, and, as Returning Officer, is making immediate arrangements to hold a by-election for the county council ward of Pembroke St Mary North and also for the town council if called.

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman said: “The council will, together with the Welsh Local Government Association, be lobbying Welsh Government for a change in legislation to address the lack of immediate powers of suspension following conviction and sentence for such serious offences.

“The council has, throughout the past year, carried out extensive efforts with its partner agencies - including the town council - to put safeguarding first and to ensure that Mr Boswell did not carry out ward work, attend council events or attend meetings which would place him in contact with, or make any key decisions in relation to, children.

“The council has also, since the date of conviction, made every effort to bring the matter to a swift conclusion.

“Our thoughts go out to the victims and families affected and we thank them for their immense courage in bringing this matter forward. We also thank Dyfed-Powys police who have worked closely with the council throughout this difficult period.”

David Boswell, known as Dai, was jailed for 18 years last month after being found guilty of raping one girl and indecently assaulting another when they were both aged under 10.

Boswell, who stepped aside as Mayor after being arrested but remained a member of Pembrokeshire County Council, was told he would be on licence and at risk of being recalled to jail until 2038 irrespective of when he was released.

Boswell, aged 58, of Bush Street in Pembroke Dock, had denied all the charges.

Swansea crown court heard last month that one of his victims - now an adult woman - was still too afraid to visit Pembroke Dock in case she came across Boswell.

The other said in a victim impact statement that she still had nightmares about what Boswell had done to her and thought about it everyday.

She said she regretted not speaking up earlier and feared her silence may have put other children at risk.