Prankster’s note to absent councillor Brian Riley damages bench by Hadleigh war memorial

Brian Riley (centre) with daughter Kate (left) and wife Alice (right) after winning a local election (Image: Archant)

Former Babergh district councillor Brian Riley sensationally moved to America earlier this year but refused to give up his other position as Hadleigh’s county councillor.

His claim of being able to keep up with the job when nearly 4,000 miles away in North Carolina through modern technology, as well as returning to the UK every six weeks, angered some people in the area and resulted in him having the Conservative whip withdrawn.

And it seems feelings are still running high in the area after a prankster nailed a small note to a bench in the town.

In keeping with Hadleigh’s Year of the Sheep theme, it read: “SCC Cllr. Brian Riley, Missing ewe!”

However the note, while amusing, has caused consternation closer to home.

It was nailed to the bench in front of the town’s war memorial wall, which cost several hundreds of pounds, and now removed has left three holes in the wood.

It was taken down after a member of the public sat on the bench and had his clothing ripped by a nail sticking out of the sign.

Town clerk Carol Bailey said: “It appears that an unknown person has taken it upon themselves to nail to the bench a metal surround from the front of an old filing cabinet.

“The nails were left in such a way as to be dangerous to anyone using the bench.”

“The town council would like to say to whoever did this whilst you may have found it amusing your actions were both dangerous and amount to criminal damage.

“Let’s hope that when you read this letter you will realise the consequences of your actions and will not repeat them again.”