THE MAYOR of Todmorden has appeared in court accused of stealing a neighbour’s bin.

Stephanie Booth, 60, who is Cherie Blair’s stepmother, accepted that she had taken the bin and disposed of it but denied that she had taken it dishonesty.

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Booth, who is the fourth wife of Mrs Blair’s father Tony Booth, and a Labour councillor, appeared at Calderdale Magistrates’ Court wearing a grey coat to deny the theft charge.

The court was told that there had been a neighbourly dispute between her and David Morgan, who both live in Robinwood Terrace, Todmorden.

Prosecutor Richard Davies said there had been a disagreement about who owned a piece of land.

He added that Booth had asked Mr Morgan to move a tub containing either sand or rock salt which was blocking her property. But Booth claims that Mr Morgan had moved the tub back, and thus she put it in her car and disposed of it.

The court was told that the alleged offence happened on December 4, 2014.

Defending, Malcolm Nowell said the facts of the case were accepted and the question was the dishonesty.

Booth was granted unconditional bail to appear for trial at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on October 29.