Barkingside: Pensioner Arrested over Alleged Sexual Abuse

By Joe Curtis
The Guardian
March 7, 2012

www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/rbnews/9573052.BARKINGSIDE__Pensioner_arrested_over_alleged_sexual_abuse/

A PENSIONER has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing young people in areas including Barkingside.

The 73-year-old, widely reported to be a former Church of England priest, was arrested this morning (March 6) near his home in Eastbourne.

The alleged sexual assaults on nine people are meant to have taken place between 1965 and 1972.

Sussex Police emphasises that they believe no children are currently at risk.

The police said that several allegations against the 73-year-old were made to them in 1972 but no criminal proceedings resulted.

A related allegation was made in 2001 and an arrest was made but there was not sufficient evidence to bring criminal proceedings.

A 70-year-old man was also arrested at his Eastbourne home on suspicion of sexual assaults against three young men in West Sussex during the late 1970s and mid-1980s.