By Jenny Makin
This is Hampshire
October 11, 2007
http://www.thisishampshire.net/display.var.1751509.0.former_priest_charged_with_sex_offences.php
A FORMER Catholic priest has been charged with indecently assaulting two teenagers more than 20 years ago.
Brian Rutledge, 68, was charged by detectives last night with four counts of assault against two children.
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The allegations against the priest, who lives in Southampton and used to work in the city, relate to the 1970s and 1980s, the Daily Echo understands.
The alleged offences happened across Hampshire and abroad.
Rutledge, of Waldergrave Close in Woolston, is no longer a practising priest but during his lengthy career he was well known across the south of England.
Rutledge has officiated at several Hampshire and Berkshire churches as assistant priest or parish priest from 1970, and it is believed he is not married.
He had worked in Tilehurst near Reading, Aldershot, Fareham, Woodley, Stubbington and in Bourne-mouth where he was a hospital chaplain.
Detectives based at Bitterne CID charged Rutledge last night after he answered bail.
He had originally been arrested by officers just before the start of summer and has remained on police bail while the allegations were investigated.
Rutledge will appear before Southampton magistrates on October 18.
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