A former Dudley councillor and parliamentary candidate denied sending threatening messages when he appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court.

Community activist Shaz Saleem was charged with two counts of using a public communication network to send a voicemail message that was offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.

During the hearing, on July 26, Mr Saleem, aged 38 of Ploverdale Crescent, Kingswinford, pleaded not guilty to both charges.

A trial date was set for March 6, 2025, at Walsall Magistrates’ Court however Mr Saleem was told he must appear before the trial at Dudley Magistrates’ Court.

District Judge Michael Wheeler said: “There is an issue with jurisdiction and time limits, there will be a preliminary hearing in Dudley.”

The preliminary hearing was set for November 11, Mr Saleem was released on unconditional bail in respect of both hearings.

Mr Saleem stood as an independent candidate for the Kingswinford and South Staffordshire constituency in the recent general election and had previously been a Conservative member of Dudley Council.

He strongly denies the allegations and, after a previous hearing when a judge ruled he should face a trial, said: “I am disappointed about this but that is life and you have to handle it.”