Former church accountant charged with fraud

A former church accountant has been charged after almost pounds 250,000 went missing from funds belonging to the diocese of London over the last five years.

Dean Richard Bailey, 33, used to be an assistant accountant with the Church of England diocese. He has been bailed to appear before magistrates on 4 July, accused of falsifying documents and obtaining property by deception to the value of pounds 237,191.69 on various occasions between 20 July 1990 and 8 February 1996.