The Isle of Wight Council is refusing to comment after a serving councillor was jailed for more than two years for committing historic child rape.

Cllr Daryll Pitcher was yesterday (Wednesday) sentenced to 27 months — with half to be served in prison — for raping a girl, under 13, twice in the 1990s.

The offences happened when Pitcher was in his teens but from the time he was arrested until his sentencing yesterday, he was still a serving Isle of Wight councillor for Wootton Bridge.

After his guilty convictions were handed to him at the end of February, Pitcher stood down from his committee positions on the authority but remained in his role.

He also attended meetings of Wootton Bridge Parish Council.

At the culmination of his trial when the conviction was handed to him, Pitcher was made to sign the Sex Offenders' Register, and will remain on it for the next ten years.

Following the sentencing verdict yesterday, the Isle of Wight Council was approached for comment but has since responded today (Thursday) to say it cannot comment at this time.

When seeking further clarification from the press office, a spokesperson said they were unable to provide further information.

The Isle of Wight Council has had no authority to remove Pitcher from his position while the case is ongoing but there are now provisions under the Local Government Act 1972 to disqualify him.

The law states if an elected member is sentenced to three months in prison or more, whether suspended or not, they will be disqualified from being a member of a local authority.

It is unclear if this has occurred although the Isle of Wight Council has been asked to clarify what will happen to Pitcher's Wootton Bridge seat and whether a by-election will be held.

Other members of the Isle of Wight Council have been approached for comment.