Mid Wales priest accused of abusing boys is found dead
A Catholic priest living in Mid Wales who was arrested on suspicion of child sexual abuse has been found dead on the day he was due to report to police.
Father Ernest Sands, 67, was found dead on April 11, it has emerged.
Father Sands, who lived in Penybontfawr, was arrested last year by Lancashire Police on suspicion of sexually abusing five boys at a Catholic seminary.
A Lancashire Police spokesman said the death was not suspicious and his alleged victims had been informed.
The offences were said to have taken place in the late 1970s and 1980s against boys aged from 11 to 15.
It is understood they relate to Father Sands' time as a teacher at St Joseph's Roman Catholic College, Upholland, Lancashire, where future priests were trained.
The police spokesman said: "He had been due to answer bail on April 11 but was found dead on April 11."
A file was being prepared for the coroner, he said.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it had been considering a file prepared by police.
A priest with the Diocese of Shrewsbury said Father Sands had not been in active ministry for several years.
Father Sands wrote the hymn Sing Of The Lord's Goodness, which was chosen by George Carey for his installation as the Archbishop of Canterbury.
