© Tom Blewitt & Zack Griffiths – Predator Awareness / Sandwell Corruption

The Mayor of Sandwell, Steve Melia, is set to retire at the end of his mayoral term and will not be seeking re-election at the local elections in May, bringing to a close a political career that has been overshadowed by a criminal conviction.

Melia, a Labour councillor, was convicted in 2022 of assault by beating following an incident outside Sandwell Council House in Oldbury. The case arose after an altercation with a member of the public who was filming councillors entering the building.

At Dudley Magistrates’ Court, Melia pleaded guilty to the offence. The court heard that he knocked a mobile phone out of the victim’s hand during the confrontation. Magistrates said his actions went beyond what was acceptable, even if carried out in the heat of the moment.

He was handed a 12-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay compensation to the victim, and required to cover court costs. While the sentence did not meet the legal threshold to disqualify him from public office, it left him with a criminal conviction.

During sentencing, Melia told the court that his political career was effectively over as a result of the case. However, that assurance did not last. Despite the conviction, he later stood again for election and was returned as a councillor.

His continued political advancement prompted criticism, particularly after he was later appointed Mayor of Sandwell, a prominent civic role. The decision to elevate a councillor with a recent assault conviction led to renewed questions about Labour’s judgement and internal standards, with opponents arguing the appointment undermined public confidence in local leadership.

Now, Melia has confirmed he will step down at the end of his mayoral term and will not contest the upcoming elections in May, finally ending his time in elected office.

His departure will mark the end of a tenure that has remained controversial from the courtroom to the council chamber.