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A bishop faces serious legal accusations involving two counts of rape concerning a female under the age of 16. Staffordshire Police revealed that David James Oakley, the Bishop of Northampton, was charged following his arrest in September of the previous year. The alleged incidents reportedly occurred in Staffordshire between February 2000 and February 2001.
David Oakley, aged 70, is scheduled to appear before Cannock Magistrates’ Court on August 14. The Catholic Diocese of Northampton, which serves the regions of Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire, issued a statement confirming the charges against him. The statement noted that the charges emerged after an investigation into longstanding safeguarding concerns and acknowledged the distress caused to those involved, while withholding further comment due to ongoing legal proceedings.
Born in Stourbridge in the West Midlands, Oakley was ordained in 1980 and has held various positions within the Archdiocese of Birmingham. In 2020, he was appointed Bishop of Northampton. Oakley was previously considered a leading candidate for the role of head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
The Diocese emphasized the sensitive nature of the case and the importance of due process as the matter proceeds through the courts. No additional remarks were made by the diocese, out of respect for the active legal situation
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