PRESTON'S Liberal Democrat leader, Councillor William Chadwick, is expected to appear before the city's magistrates today charged with a number of sexual offences.

Coun Chadwick, 48, of Avenham Road, Preston, was arrested on Friday, August 9, and detained in custody at Preston Police Station over the weekend.

Coun Chadwick, who is also a county councillor, is charged with incitement to commit an offence of kidnap, incitement to commit an offence of torture, incitement to commit an offence of rape, incitement to commit an offence of murder and making indecent photographs of a child.