Former RAF serviceman charged with sexual assault against children
|
Version 0 of 1. A former RAF serviceman has been charged with sexually assaulting children at a base in Germany. Richard Philpotts is accused of carrying out the offences against children younger than 16 “in the context of scouting”. The Ministry of Defence said the investigation into the claims was ongoing and the RAF police appealed for any witnesses or survivors to come forward. Philpotts was arrested as part of Operation Overfoot, the RAF’s investigation into allegations of non-recent sexual offences at overseas units. It is alleged that he carried out the offences at RAF Gatow, a former British base in Spandau in West Berlin, during the 1980s. An RAF spokesman, Wing Commander Martin Tinworth, said: “Anyone who is or has been the victim of such offences or has information relating to the activities of any individual which may have affected others is urged to contact the Royal Air Force police, in absolute confidence, via the service police crime bureau who can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 02392 285170.” The Ministry of Defence declined to provide any further details on the case, saying it was an ongoing investigation. |