Man charged with 32 offences of child abuse in Welsh care homes

A 71-year-old man has been charged with 32 serious sexual offences following an investigation into allegations of an historic paedophile ring in North Wales care homes.

John Allen, from Ipswich, Suffolk, is accused of committing 22 indecent assaults, one offence of gross indecency and nine offences of buggery. The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1968 and 1989 against 15 children who were aged between seven and 15 years old.

Allen was rearrested this morning when he answered police bail in North Wales, and the decision to charge him was made following interviews by detectives.

Karen Mullin, senior prosecutor for CPS Cymru-Wales, said: "The CPS is working alongside Operation Pallial as this major investigation into historical sexual abuse in North Wales moves forward.

"We have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge John Allen with 32 serious sexual offences, and that it is in the public interest to do so. We have therefore authorised Operation Pallial to charge Mr Allen with these offences."

Operation Pallial detectives are updating Allen's alleged victims with the developments of the investigation.

Three other people arrested as part of the inquiry remain on police bail.