Police have shared an insight into an investigation which saw an ex-councillor jailed for perverting the course of justice.

Ashley Farrall, who until recently represented Macclesfield Central on East Cheshire Council, was sentenced to 12 months on Monday, September 29, after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice.

The court heard how the 43-year-old charged with intentional strangulation following an incident in November 2024 - of which he was later found not guilty.

However, despite bail conditions instructing him not to contact his partner, he gave her a secret 'burner phone' to discuss the retraction statement and even travelled to her address in Wales to go through the wording of statement.

He continued to discuss the case with her with the intention of pleading guilty following the withdrawal to get a suspended prison sentence in return.

He continued to meet up with her and contact her, in breach of his bail conditions.

Cheshire Police's inspector Matt Chapman said: "Farrell went to great lengths to manipulate his partner when she was at her most vulnerable so he could selfishly get what he wanted.

"The courts imposing a custodial sentence sends a strong message about this type of offence."

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Farrall, of Ellenbrook Road on Woodhouse Park in Wythenshawe, faced two charges when he stood trial at Chester Crown Court - one of intentional strangulation and another of committing acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice.

While the jury returned a not guilty verdict for the strangulation charge, Farrall was found guilty verdict for the charge of perverting the course of justice.

For this, he was handed a 12 month prison sentence.