Former Bishop David Oakly charged with raping a teenager

David Oakly, the 70-year-old former Bishop of Northampton, appeared via video link at Westminster Magistrates' Court to face two charges of raping a girl under the age of 16. The prosecution alleges that the incidents occurred in the early 2000s when Oakly was a 45-year-old Catholic priest and the victim was 15 years old.

According to the prosecution, the victim and Oakly began dating after attending a pilgrimage in Lourdes, France. The investigation into the allegations was conducted by the Staffordshire Police's Rape and Serious Sexual Offences unit.

Oakly, who was appointed Bishop of Northampton in 2020 before his retirement from public ministry, was initially arrested in September 2025. The case has been referred to the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), with the next hearing scheduled for September 10. Oakly has been released on bail under conditions that prohibit him from contacting the complainant or her family. The Catholic Diocese of Northampton stated it cannot comment further due to the ongoing legal proceedings.