A Mid Wales vicar has been charged with 18 offences relating to indecent images of children.
The Reverend Richard Hart, of Beguildy, near Knighton, was charged by police yesterday. His wife Julie, remains on police bail.
Both were arrested in January in connection with allegations involving child pornography. Church officials suspended the 58-year-old vicar from all his duties.
His 40-year-old wife has also been suspended from her job as a teaching assistant at Beguildy Primary School.
Mr Hart is the vicar of St Michael’s Church in Beguildy, St Cynllo in Llangunllo, St Mary Magdalene in Bleddfa, St David in Heyope and St Padarn’s Llanbadarn Fynydd.
He has also been suspended as chairman of governors at Beguildy School.
He is also believed to have been involved in Monaughty Circle Youth Club, although his name has since been removed from the list of contacts for the group on Powys County Council’s website.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman said today: “We can confirm a 58-year-old male has been arrested and charged with 18 specimen charges concerning indecent images of children and will appear before Brecon Magistrates Court on May 29
“A 40-year-old female remains on police bail.”
The move has shocked the people in the area.
One resident, who did not wish to be named said she could not believe Mr Hart, a father-of-five had been charged.
She said: “He was a well-known face in the area and had lived here for about five years. We cannot believe this latest news. It has brought shock on the entire community.”
A spokeswoman for the Church in Wales said: “During the course of this sensitive and protracted inquiry the church has co-operated fully with the police and other agencies involved, in line with our stringent Child Protection Policy.”
Brecon and Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams also said she was shocked.
She said: “It must be very distressing to the residents of the area, as its such a close knit community.”
By Anwen Evans
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