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Vicar charged over child images | Vicar charged over child images |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A Church in Wales vicar has been charged with 18 counts of possessing indecent images of children. | A Church in Wales vicar has been charged with 18 counts of possessing indecent images of children. |
The Reverend Richard Hart, 59, will appear at Brecon Magistrates' Court later this month. | |
Mr Hart and his wife Julie, 40, a primary school assistant, were arrested at the vicarage in Beguildy, near Knighton, Powys, in January. | Mr Hart and his wife Julie, 40, a primary school assistant, were arrested at the vicarage in Beguildy, near Knighton, Powys, in January. |
Mrs Hart is still on bail pending further inquiries. Mr Hart has been suspended from his pastoral duties. | Mrs Hart is still on bail pending further inquiries. Mr Hart has been suspended from his pastoral duties. |
A spokeswoman for Dyfed-Powys Police said a 59-year-old man had been charged with "18 specimen charges relating to indecent images of children". | |
She added that he would appear before Brecon magistrates on 29 May. She said a 40-year-woman remained on bail. | She added that he would appear before Brecon magistrates on 29 May. She said a 40-year-woman remained on bail. |
'Protracted enquiry' | |
The Church in Wales said it could confirm that a "59-year-old cleric from Beguildy has been charged with 18 specimen charges concerning indecent images of children". | |
A spokeswoman added: "During the course of this sensitive and protracted enquiry the church has cooperated fully with the police and other agencies involved, in line with our stringent child protection policy." | |
Mr Hart has also been suspended from his position as chairman of governors at Beguildy voluntary controlled Church in Wales school, where his wife works as a part-time assistant. | Mr Hart has also been suspended from his position as chairman of governors at Beguildy voluntary controlled Church in Wales school, where his wife works as a part-time assistant. |
It is understood he has been a vicar in the area for more than 20 years. | It is understood he has been a vicar in the area for more than 20 years. |
He has been priest in charge of seven parishes - Beguildy, Llangunllo, Heyope, Bleddfa, Llanbadarn Fynydd, Llananno and Llanbister - since 2001. | He has been priest in charge of seven parishes - Beguildy, Llangunllo, Heyope, Bleddfa, Llanbadarn Fynydd, Llananno and Llanbister - since 2001. |
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