Former Brighton priest charged with child sex abuse

A priest who worked in Brighton and Hove has been charged with sexually assaulting two boys more than 20 years ago.

Father Wilkie Denford, 77, of Broad Reach Mews, Shoreham, was charged today (Tuesday 8 May) and has been bailed to appear at Mid Sussex Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 22 May.

The Church of England minister is accused of indecently assaulting a boy under 16 on three occasions between June 1987 and January 1990.

Two of the offences were said to have taken place in or near Shoreham and the other was said to have happened in or near Cuckfield.

He is also accused of indecently assaulting another boy under 16 in or near Cuckfield between January 1987 and December 1990.

A church organist, Michael Mytton, 68, of South Road, East Chiltington, near Ditchling, has been charged with aiding and abetting Denford on one occasion in or near Cuckfield.

Sussex Police said: “The two men had been arrested on Thursday 3 November last year on suspicion of sexual offences and were released on police bail later the same day.

“They were charged on the authority of the Crown Prosecution Service when they answered to their bail at Crawley police station today.”

Denford served as the vicar of St John the Evangelist in Burgess Hill.

He previously worked in Brighton and, since retiring as a parish priest, has officiated and preached at numerous churches and services in Brighton and Hove.

The Diocese of Chichester suspended both men after they were arrested and said that it was co-operating with the official investigation.