Priest Suspected of Child Abuse Committed Suicide, Coroner Rules

By Daniel Heald
The Advertiser
June 14, 2016

http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/163160/priest-suspected-of-child-abuse-committed-suicide-coroner-rules.aspx

A PRIEST, who had been arrested on suspicion of historical child sexual abuse, committed suicide at his home near Oswestry, a coroner has ruled.

Father Ernest Sands, 67, was found dead inside a shed on April 11 near his home at Hirnant on the day he was due to answer bail set by Lancashire Police.

Last year, Fr Sands was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing five boys aged from 11 to 15 at a Catholic seminary in the late 1970s and 1980s.

The alleged offences were believed to have occurred during Fr Sands' time as a teacher at St Joseph's Roman Catholic College, Upholland, Lancashire.

An inquest at Aberdare Coroner's Court on Wednesday, June 8, heard how an officer of Dyfed Powys Police found Fr Sands hanged near his home.

The officer attended the address after a request from Lancashire Police to check on his welfare.

Following a search of the address, the officer said he found a note on the bed of the master bedroom, which explained Father Sands' intention of taking his own life.

In his concluding remarks, coroner Graeme Hughes said: “There is no evidence from police that anyone else was involved in the events on April 11 of this year, nor is there any evidence to suggest there was a disturbance at the scene.

"So I can conclude with some certainty that Mr Sands acted deliberately and alone.”

A verdict of suicide was recorded.