Bishop of Northampton appears in court charged with rape

Bishop David Oakley, aged 70, is accused of two counts of rape of a female aged under 16 in the early 2000s.

Bishop Oakley appeared before Westminster Magistrates by video link from his lawyer’s office. He was released on bail, on condition he does not contact the alleged victim or her family.

The case was sent to Old Bailey by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring for a plea hearing on 10 September. Prosecutor Sarah Madden told the court Oakley and the girl started dating after a pilgrimage to Lourdes: “She recalls sex with the defendant on at least two occasions.”

Bishop Oakley was charged in June, when Staffordshire Police said, “A man has been charged following an investigation by our Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team. Bishop David James Oakley, 70, who is White British, of Desborough, Kettering, has been charged with two counts of rape a female under 16. It follows his arrest in September 2025 following an allegation made to police.”

Northampton diocese said at the time, “We understand that this will be very distressing for all concerned but cannot comment further on an active legal process.”

Bishop Oakley withdrew from public ministry last year after the police investigation began. Pope Leo XIV appointed Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese.

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