A RETIRED bishop who admitted sex offences against young men, should have faced charges 22 years ago, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.

Peter Ball was given a caution for one act of gross indecency in 1993 but the CPS says there was sufficient evidence to prosecute.

The CPS says its approach to sexual abuse cases has now changed and such a decision would not be made today.

Last week Ball, 83, admitted 18 charges of sex abuse involving men in the 1970s and 1990s.

He also admitted to the offence of misconduct in public office between 1977 and 1992.

Ball was Bishop of Lewes between 1977 and 1992 and Bishop of Gloucester from 1992 to 1993.

A CPS spokesman said: “In order to prosecute this offence today, we have had to conclude that the decision to caution was wrong – there was sufficient evidence and it was in the public interest to prosecute at the time.

“Furthermore, in order for a caution to be given, a suspect must first make full and frank admissions to the alleged offence... such admissions were not made in the appropriate way.”

The Church of England has issued an apology to victims and says it always takes allegations of abuse seriously.

Ball will be sentenced on October 7.