A Catholic priest who faced historic allegations of indecently assaulting boys has been found dead on the day he was due to answer bail.
Father Ernest Sands, who was 67, was found dead in Wales on April 11th.
Lancashire Police had earlier arrested him in connection with allegations involving five boys in the 1970s. The boys were aged between 11 and 15 at the time.
In a statement, Lancashire Police said:
A 67-year-old man was arrested last year in relation to historical offences of indecent assault.
As a consequence of the investigation, charges were being sought in relation to five male victims aged between 11 and 15 at the time.
The allegations related to him serving as a Catholic priest in the late 1970s and 1980s.
– Lancashire Police Statement
There are no suspicious circumstances and a file has been passed to the coroner.
The police said the alleged victims had been informed.