Priest Charged with Child Sex Abuse

Littlehampton Gazette
July 23, 2013

http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/news/regional/priest-charged-with-child-sex-abuse-1-5310694

A Roman Catholic priest from West Sussex has been charged in relation to alleged historic sexual abuse at a children's home, police said.

Father Anthony McSweeney, 66, was charged with three counts of indecent assault, three of making indecent images of a child, one count 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, the Metropolitan Police said.

A second man, John Stingemore, 71, was charged with 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, and Stingemore, of Stonehouse Drive, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on September 4.

A third man arrested in connection with Operation Fernbridge remains on police bail.

Anyone with information about abuse at the children's home or who believes they may have been a victim is asked to contact the NSPCC on their helpline 0808 800 5000.