Liron Velleman, who quit the council in April last year, has admitted sending naked pictures of himself to a 13-year-old girl

Hendon Town Hall and (inset) Liron Velleman

UPDATE: This post was update at 13.05 on 6th January to include a quote from Barnet Labour group

A former Barnet councillor who dramatically quit the town hall last year has pleaded guilty to a series of sex offences.

Liron Velleman, who was elected as a Labour councillor for Whetstone ward in 2022, left his role suddenly and without explanation in April, while also leaving his position at the Community trade union.

At Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court yesterday, the ex-politician admitted multiple child sex offences including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity.

The court heard that Velleman sent the girl naked pictures of himself and asked whether she was “at home alone”. He also told her to “show me your bra” and asked “whether she was a virgin”.

He carried out the offences between 3rd December and 10th December 2024 and was caught by a Metropolitan Police sting operation.

Defence barrister, Ali Hussain, told the court that Velleman had been suffering from depression. He said the former councillor was “a person of good character.”

He added: “He is currently unemployed. He is a family man. There is a great deal about his background which will assist the court to see how exactly he came to find himself in this position.”

He will be sentenced on February 10th at the same court.

When Velleman resigned in April, a Labour Party spokesperson told Barnet Post: “Liron Velleman has resigned from Barnet Council and is no longer a member of the Labour Party” while a spokesperson for Community union said: “Liron Velleman no longer works for Community.”

Barnet Post approached Barnet Labour for comment following Velleman’s guilty plea. A Barnet Labour Party spokesperson said: “We took immediate action as soon as concerns were raised.”

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