A man has been charged with 47 historic rape and sexual offences involving young boys which took place over a period of nearly 50 years.
Edward Sweeney, 84, of Sidcup, has been under investigation after historic allegations of rape and sexual offences were reported to the Metropolitan Police in November 2023.
The offences are reported to have taken place between the late 1960s and 2010 at places including Sidcup and Kent, as well as internationally in Portugal, Turkey and Hungary.
Sweeney has today (January 2) been charged with three counts of rape of a child under 13, 27 counts of indecent assault, five counts of indecency with a child, seven counts of sexual assault of a child and five counts of causing or inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.
Met detectives worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and international prosecution teams as part of the investigation.
The charges relate to nine separate men, who were aged between eight and 14 at the time of the reported offences.
Those who have come forward continue to be supported by specialist officers, the force said.
Sweeney will appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 9.
Any information can be passed to detectives by emailing CIT@met.police.uk. Any reports will be dealt with in the strictest confidence by specialist officers.
Support is also available by contacting the independent charity, Rape Crisis at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.
