Former vicar charged with child sex offences

Sussex Police said the offences were reported to have taken place during the late 1990s

A former Church of England vicar has been charged with rape and gross indecency of a boy aged under 14.

Ifor Whittaker, 80, is alleged to have carried out the offences in the late 1990s, Sussex Police said.

At that time, he went by the name of Father Colin Pritchard at St John The Baptist Church, in Sedlescombe, according to police.

Officers appealed for anyone with information that could help their investigation to contact the force.

Mr Whittaker has been remanded in custody and is due to appear in court on 10 June.