Sandwell councillor quits after being targeted by trolls

Lucy Cashmore, who represents the Bristnall ward on Sandwell Council is to stand down after serving only one term.

She said abuse she had received on her Twitter account - including messages about her husband and children - had a major bearing on her decision.

The mother-of-two said the vitriolic messages had made her ill.

She said: "The trolling going on had on a massive effect on me, I was quite ill with it.

"It absolutely was part of the reason for standing down. It got quite personal with my husband and my children. I didn't want to put them in jeopardy.

"The messages were constantly stating that I lied about my address, and questioning whether my husband would be getting preferential treatment because my husband worked for Sandwell Council before I came into office.

"After three of four months I stopped going on the site and I stopped all my family members. I have no social media sites or personal sites. I'd say I was quite popular for five or six months on a daily basis."

The Labour councillor also said she did not feel confident she could devote enough time to her constituents after starting another job last year.

She said she was 'gutted' to be stepping down after only one term and that serving as a councillor had always been her dream.

"The reason I wanted to be a councillor was because I enjoy looking out for people and helping the underdog.

"But I am a mum and a wife and I have to think about my family."

She said she would continue to help at the council 'as a hobby rather than a job'.

Sandwell's mayor Derek Rowley used his final address to the full council before leaving the role to slam the trolls who had targeted Councillor Cashmore.

He said: "I have to say I am quite disappointed Councillor Cashmore has chosen to leave the council at this point in time.

"There has been nasty electronic trolling which has happened to her over the past few years and people who give their time as a public servant really don't need that. Her private life has been exposed all over the place."

Councillor Cashmore was forced to apologise last month after it emerged she had failed to declare her employment.