Brighton priest sent for trial on child sex charges

A priest who worked in Brighton and Hove has been sent for trial on charges of sexually abusing two boys more than 20 years ago.

Father Wilkie Denford, 77, of Broad Reach Mews, Shoreham, is due to stand trial at Lewes Crown Court on Monday 10 December.

He appeared at Mid Sussex Magistrates’ Court in Haywards Heath where he was bailed until his trial, having denied four charges of indecently assaulting a boy under 16.

Church organist Michael Mytton, 68, of South Road, East Chiltington, near Ditchling, will join him on trial. Mytton denies one charge of aiding and abetting Denford.

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

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

At the time Denford was serving 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.