Adrian Hughes, a former Dudley councillor who served on the council’s Children’s Services Select Committee, has admitted to grooming underage girls. Hughes, elected as a Labour Party representative for the Upper Gornal and Woodsetton ward in 2022, appeared at Preston Magistrates' Court on March 13, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to sexual grooming.
The 36-year-old, residing in Marsh Lane, Preston, admitted that in May 2025 he communicated with a 13-year-old girl, discussing plans to meet her, touching her sexually, and indicating he would teach her about sex. He also confessed to attempting to incite the same 13-year-old to engage in sexual activity.
In addition, Hughes pleaded guilty to asking a 12-year-old girl to meet for sexual activity and sending her a nude photograph of himself.
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Hughes was suspended from the Labour Party in October 2023 following an internal complaint and subsequent investigation into his conduct. Despite relocating to northern England, he initially stated he would continue to serve as an independent member of Dudley Council.
During his tenure, Hughes sat on several committees focused on children’s welfare, including the Children’s Services Select Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee from May to September 2023. He was also a member of the Children and Young Person’s Scrutiny Committee and the Children’s Corporate Parenting Board between May 2022 and May 2023.
Hughes was expelled from Dudley Council in May 2024 after failing to attend any council meetings for six months.
He is scheduled to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on April 24.