Brighton priest bailed by court over sex abuse charges

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

Father Wilkie Denford, 77, of Broad Reach Mews, Shoreham, answered bail at Mid Sussex Magistrates’ Court in Haywards Heath.

He appeared alongside church organist, Michael Mytton, 68, of South Road, East Chiltington, near Ditchling, who was charged with aiding and abetting Denford on one occasion in or near Cuckfield.

The pair were remanded on bail until Tuesday 3 July.

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.

Denford served as vicar of St John the Evangelist in Burgess Hill, having previously worked in Brighton.

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 had co-operated with the official investigation.