A CHURCH deacon is due in court facing accusations of sexual offences against teenage boys.
Peter Keeley-Pannett, 71, of Bristol Road, Brighton, has been charged with eight counts - three offences of making 150 indecent images of children, one of attempting to cause a boy aged over 13 to engage in sexual activity, two of causing a boy aged 13 to 15 to watch images of sexual activity, and two of causing or inciting a boy aged 14 to engage in sexual activity.
The charges of sexual activity are alleged to have been committed by using a webcam and not through physical contact. None of the alleged victims are from Sussex.
He was arrested in November and is due to appear on bail at Redhill Magistrates Court on September 28. From 2013 until his arrest he was a non-stipendiary (unpaid) deacon in the Church of England's Chichester Diocese for the parish of Portslade and Mile Oak at St Nicholas Church.
The prosecution follows an investigation by the Surrey and Sussex Police Paedophile Online Investigation Team.
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