Vicar charged over child images

The Reverend Richard Hart will appear in court on 29 May

A Church in Wales vicar has been charged with 18 counts of possessing indecent images of children.

The Reverend Richard Hart, 59, will appear at Brecon Magistrates' Court later this month.

Mr Hart and his wife Julie, 40, a primary school assistant, were arrested at the vicarage in Beguildy, near Knighton, Powys, in January.

Mrs Hart is still on bail pending further inquiries. Mr Hart has been suspended from his pastoral duties.

A spokeswoman for Dyfed-Powys Police said a 59-year-old man had been charged with "18 specimen charges relating to indecent images of children".

She added that he would appear before Brecon magistrates on 29 May. She said a 40-year-woman remained on bail.

'Protracted enquiry'

The Church in Wales said it could confirm that a "59-year-old cleric from Beguildy has been charged with 18 specimen charges concerning indecent images of children".

A spokeswoman added: "During the course of this sensitive and protracted enquiry the church has cooperated fully with the police and other agencies involved, in line with our stringent child protection policy."

Mr Hart has also been suspended from his position as chairman of governors at Beguildy voluntary controlled Church in Wales school, where his wife works as a part-time assistant.

It is understood he has been a vicar in the area for more than 20 years.

He has been priest in charge of seven parishes - Beguildy, Llangunllo, Heyope, Bleddfa, Llanbadarn Fynydd, Llananno and Llanbister - since 2001.