Ex-priest charged with sex offences

Brian Spence, 78, also known as Macduff, a former Church of England priest, of Sutton Road, Shrewsbury, appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court yesterday (September 13), to answer a summons alleging that he committed four offences of indecent assault on a girl aged under 12.

Police said that he pleaded not guilty to all offences, and the case was committed to Lewes Crown Court for a preliminary trial preparation hearing on October 11.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Sussex Police officers who investigated the allegations which were received for the first time in September 2016, have worked closely with the Diocese of Chichester’s Safeguarding Team, who have actively supported the investigation.

“Police emphasise that there are no current safeguarding issues for the church or the local Warnham community in relation to the investigation.”

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