Wick man charged with serious sex offences against teenage boys

John Churchley, 56, of Belloc Road, is charge with six sex offences, two of making an indecent movie and one charge of possessing an indecent movie.

Appearing with him at Chichester Magistrates' Court yesterday (Thursday, April 14) was David Keen, of Nelson Road, Bognor Regis, who is charged with engaging in sexual activities with boys aged under 15 and 13, and four further charges of serious sexual offences. He is also charged on three counts of making indecent movies and distributing indecent movies.

Churchley, the sole director of a builders' merchants in Littlehampton, and Keen, 27, were remanded in custody until August 6.

"Scottish swoop"

The arrests of both men on Wednesday followed Operation Algebra, a Scottish case in which Lothian and Borders Police swooped on a large paedophile ring.

During the Scottish inquiry, hundreds of thousands of pornographic pictures of children, including images of the rape of an 18-month-old boy, were uncovered. The operation led to the conviction of eight men.

Det Supt Allan Jones, of Lothian and Borders Police said that most of the eight men convicted 'led double lives' and were 'respected members of their profession'. One was a church bell ringer and one was a civil servant.

Active investigation

Following the case, information on 70 other people across the UK was sent to police forces. Police have 'targets' in Brighton and Bexhill-on-Sea.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "The arrests of both men, under Operation Addition, were made by specialist-trained Sussex Police officers conducting ongoing investigations into suspected paedophiles who have been identified following Operation Algebra, an intelligence gathering and enforcement operation undertaken by Lothian and Borders Police.

"This is still an ongoing, active investigation and DS Jez Prior from the Child Protection Team at Bognor Regis Police Station would like to hear from anyone who may have any information in respect of this investigation."

Anyone wishing to contact the police is asked to call 0845 60 70 999, stating their call is in relation to Operation Addition.

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