**Abergavenny Councillor Faces Court Over Instagram Harassment Allegations**
A councillor representing a ward in Abergavenny has appeared in court, facing accusations of harassing a teenage girl through various forms of online communication. Kyle Eldridge, aged 28, is alleged to have sent a series of unwelcome messages to a 17-year-old via Instagram, as well as additional voice notes and emails.
Eldridge, who resides on St George’s Crescent, stands accused of harassment without violence—an offence he has firmly denied. He serves as an independent councillor for Park ward on Abergavenny Town Council, though he was originally elected as a Labour candidate. His case was brought before Newport Magistrates’ Court, where a preliminary hearing took place.
During the court proceedings, presided over by District Judge Sophie Toms, Eldridge’s unconditional bail was extended as the legal process moves toward a full trial scheduled for 29 July. As the matter awaits resolution in court, the allegations have prompted a series of repercussions within local governance.
Sandra Rosser, principal officer for the town council, confirmed that Eldridge has not attended any meetings since the news of the allegations broke earlier this year. “He doesn’t hold any positions on any board or organisation directly linked to him being a councillor,” Rosser said, following his removal from an appointment as a school governor, a post he was due to take up. The council has sought to distance itself from the controversy as the legal process unfolds.
The charge brought against Eldridge pertains specifically to harassment without violence—a legal definition that relates to behaviour causing alarm or distress but not involving any physical harm. The court heard that the purported incidents involved not only text messages on Instagram, but also additional voice recordings and email correspondence directed at the complainant.
This case has shone a spotlight on the conduct of public officials and the responsibilities they hold, particularly in the digital age. Social media platforms such as Instagram are often scrutinised for their role in enabling inappropriate contact, especially between adults and minors. The case also opens discussions around the broader issues of online harassment and safeguarding, which remain pertinent concerns in local communities across Wales.
Responses in and around the local area have reflected a mix of shock and disappointment, as Eldridge was previously known in Abergavenny’s political circles as an active participant in community affairs. His election as a Labour representative, before becoming an independent, had been seen as a sign of growing generational diversity within the council.
The outcome of this case is keenly anticipated by local residents and political observers alike. A guilty or not guilty verdict will, in either case, have ramifications not only for Eldridge himself but also for the wider reputation of the town council and its approach to allegations involving elected members. In the meantime, council members and constituents alike await the trial date, as the presumption of innocence must be maintained until the court delivers its verdict.
The trial is set for 29 July at Newport Magistrates’ Court, where further evidence and testimony are expected to be presented. As this case develops, it raises ongoing questions about the support and protection offered to potential victims of harassment, particularly young people engaged in digital communication, and the standards to which representatives in public life are held.
Journalists and members of the local community are expected to follow the proceedings closely, seeking answers and accountability while maintaining the legal requirement of due process. Wales Online and other media outlets will continue to provide updates as the situation progresses.