A WOULD-BE councillor for Chippenham says he has never tried to conceal his criminal record for theft.

Daniel Webb, 22, is standing for Wiltshire Council as a Liberal Democrat candidate for the Hardenhuish ward, only four years after pleading guilty to stealing £3,000 worth of mobile phones from Phones4U in Swindon when he was working there between October 23 and November 20, 2013.

Mr Webb said: “As a teenager, when the offence was committed in 2013, life was particularly difficult and I made a stupid mistake.

“I feel terrible about what I did and my mistake is one that I will regret for the rest of my life.

“I recognised that what I did was wrong, and pleaded guilty to the offence in interview – before the matter went to court.”

After the Gazette was contacted about Mr Webb by someone questioning whether he should be allowed to stand for election, Wiltshire Council said its nomination forms ask candidates to declare they are not disqualified from being elected under the Local Government Act 1972. This says people cannot become councillors only if they have been convicted of a criminal offence which carries a sentence of more than three months in prison within the last five years.

“I have never hidden my past; I have always spoken openly about my criminal record, and informed the Liberal Democrats from day one,” said Mr Webb, of Barley Leaze, Chippenham, who runs a Wiltshire news website, adding: “I do believe that when people do something wrong and recognise that, they deserve a second chance.

“A local councillor should be a caring, supportive and passionate person that truly wants to help their local community – I am that person.

“I promise to continue working hard for the town of Chippenham. I know the meaning of hard work, and I am fully committed to the people of Hardenhuish.

“In the run-up to election day, I am out and about on the doorsteps talking to residents. If anyone would like to talk to me about this or anything else, I am more than happy to do so.”

Mr Webb was ordered to pay compensation of £3,000 and serve 300 hours community service after being sentenced at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on April 2, 2014.

Glenis Ansell, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Wiltshire, said: “Daniel Webb has been selected to stand as a Liberal Democrat. I believe that people who make a mistake are given the chance to put things right.

“This is especially important for young people, where one bad error can ruin the rest of their lives.

“Daniel did not try to hide the mistake he made a few years ago; one that he deeply regrets.

“He is a dynamic young man who has built businesses and wants to work for the community of Chippenham Hardenhuish so we are giving him that opportunity.

“Everyone deserves a second chance and I hope the voters of Chippenham Hardenhuish will support him.”