Former Richmond Care Home Boss and Priest Deny Child Sex Offences

By Clare Buchanan
This is Local London
December 19, 2013

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/10889357.Former_care_home_boss_and_priest_deny_child_sex_offences/

Denial: Anthony McSweeney

A former boss of a Richmond care home and a priest have denied 14 charges of child sex offences dating back to the 1970s.

John Stingemore, 71, of Stonehouse Drive, St Leonard’s on Sea, East Sussex, appeared at Southwark Crown Court today, along with 66-year-old Father Anthony McSweeney.

Mr Stingemore, who managed Grafton Close care home, pleaded not guilty to five counts of indecent assault, one of taking indecent images of a child and one of indecency with a child.

Mr McSweeney, of Old Brighton Road North, Pease Pottage, pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecent assault, one of taking indecent images of a child, three of making indecent images of a child and one of possessing indecent images of a child.

The court heard the charges related to six alleged victims, who were all between nine and 15 when the alleged offences took place in the 70s and 80s.

The charges Mr McSweeney faces in relation to making and possessing indecent images of a child allegedly took place in January and February this year.

When the alleged historic offences took place, Mr Stingemore was the boss of a Richmond care home, Mr McSweeney was a local priest and the pair knew each other from scouts, the court heard.

The pair will face trial, which is expected to last three to four weeks. The trial date has not yet been set.