A former Church of England vicar has been charged with eight counts of indecent assault and one of grievous bodily harm with intent.

81-year-old Jonathan Fletcher, who was a vicar at Emmanuel Church Wimbledon, has been bailed to appear at Kingston Crown Court on August 7.

The alleged offences are said to have occurred between 1973 and 1999.

Fletcher, who was regarded as a leading conservative evangelical throughout his ministry, retired as minister of Emmanuel Church in 2012, having been in the post since 1982.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: “We encourage anyone who has been a victim of abuse to come forward and speak to us. We have specialist officers who will listen and support you through the investigative process.”