Two in Court on 'Abuse' Charges

Littlehampton Gazette
September 4, 2013

http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/news/regional/two-in-court-on-abuse-charges-1-5454229

A Roman Catholic priest from West Sussex has appeared in court charged in relation to alleged historic sexual abuse at a children's home.

Father Anthony McSweeney, 66, was in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court with a former manager at the home, John Stingemore, 71.

The men, who face child sex charges, were sent to Southwark Crown Court, where they will appear on September 18.

McSweeney faces three counts of indecent assault, three of making indecent images of a child, one of taking indecent images of a child and one of possessing indecent images of a child, following an investigation into abuse alleged to have taken place at Grafton Close Children's Home in Hounslow, west London.

Stingemore faces eight counts of indecent assault, two of taking indecent images of a child and one count of conspiracy with persons unknown to commit buggery.

The charges relate to seven victims, all of whom were aged between nine and 15 when the offences are alleged to have taken place during the 1970s and 80s.

McSweeney, of Old Brighton Road North, Pease Pottage, West Sussex, was given bail on condition that he not contact Stingemore, not have unsupervised access to children under the age of 16, and not go on the internet.

Stingemore, of Stonehouse Drive, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, was given bail on condition that he not contact McSweeney, and not have unsupervised access to children under the age of 16.