A Mid Wales vicar and his wife have been arrested by police for alleged child porn internet offences, it was revealed today.
Church officials today confirmed a 58-year-old cleric had been suspended from all duties after his arrest.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a man and a woman from the Beguildy area had been arrested in connections with allegations involving child pornography. They have both been released on bail pending further inquiries.
The vicar has not been named by police or church officials but people living in the Knighton area today named the arrested man as the Reverend Richard Hart, from Beguildy, near Knighton.
Mr Hart is the vicar of St Michael’s Church in Beguildy, St Cynllo in Llangunllo, St Mary Magdalene in Bleddfa and St David in Heyope.
He is understood to have been the vicar in those areas for about five years.
A Dyfed Powys Police spokesman confirmed two arrests had been made.
He said: “A 58-year-old male and a 40-year-old-female, both from the Beguildy area, have been arrested in connection with offences relating to indecent images of children.
“They have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.”
The spokesman said: “Dyfed-Powys Police are working closely with Church in Wales authorities and other individuals in the area to support local communities.”
A spokesman for the Church in Wales said: “A 58-year-old cleric in the Church in Wales has been suspended from all duties following his arrest by police on Friday for alleged internet offences.”
The spokesman added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those concerned as the investigation begins.”
Residents said news of the arrests had shocked the entire community, which is on the Powys/Shropshire border.
One resident, who did not want to be named described Mr Hart as being “a well-respected member of the community”.
He said: “We cannot believe the news it has brought shock on the entire community.”
The resident said that Mr Hart, who could not be contacted for comment today, had lived in the area for about five years.
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