The retired Bishop of Gloucester appeared before the Central Criminal Court – the Old Bailey – last week in a preliminary hearing to answer charges of child sex abuse.

The retired Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt. Rev. Peter Ball appeared before the Central Criminal Court – the Old Bailey – last week in a preliminary hearing to answer charges of child sex abuse. On 1 May 2015 Bishop Ball appeared before Mr. Justice Sweeney  via video link. The court learned that a ten-week trial has been scheduled to begin on 5 Oct 2015 at an as yet undetermined location. In response to questions from the defense about motions to excuse the bishop from trial due to his advanced age (83) and precarious health, Mr. Justice Sweeney said that decision would be made by Mr. Justice Wilkie who would preside over the trial. Bishop Ball and his co-defendant, former priest Vickery House last appeared before Mr. Justice Sweeney via video link in January to set a trial date. Ball was appointed Bishop of Lewes in 1977 and translated to Gloucester in 1992. He is accused of indecently assaulting a 12 or 13 year old boy in 1984 and 1985, indecently assaulting a 19 or 20 year old man in 1990 and 1992, and misconduct in public office.  House faces eight charges of indecent assault for allegedly abusing a boy of 15 and five other men ranging in age from 17 to 34 over a sixteen year period.