Married step-dad David Kirton, 55, was remanded in custody by magistrates after being arrested at the weekend following complaints from the alleged victim.
Police confirmed: "A 55-year-old man has been remanded in custody prior to appearance at crown court.
"He was charged with offences under the Sexual Offences Act, including rape and sexual assault."
Kirton, a councillor in Harlow, Essex, is believed to have recently left the home he shares with his wife Denise, 55, and moved to Stevenage, Herts.
A council spokesman refused to comment and the borough's Tory leader was unavailable last night. Kirton will appear at Chelmsford crown court on October 21.
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UPDATE 9 June 2009
A 55-YEAR-OLD former Conservative councillor, who became "infatuated" with a 13-year-old girl and sexually assaulted her was jailed for eight years today (Monday).
David Kirton, 55, formerly of Longbanks, Harlow, Essex, later of Stevenage, also admitted committing two other sexual offences on the girl during an eight-month period.
Kirton, who won his seat in the Staple Tye ward at the local elections in May last year but has since been suspended, sent texts and spoke to her on MSN telling her among other things: "Babe - you're a gorgeous woman."
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