Kettering Bishop charged with two counts of rape of girl
Bishop David James Oakley, 70, is due in court in August
Last updated 24th Jun 2026
The Catholic Bishop of Northampton has been charged with two counts of rape following an investigation by Staffordshire police.
Bishop David James Oakley, 70, who is White British, of Desborough, has been charged with two counts of raping a girl under the age of 16.
He was arrested in September 2025 after a report was made to officers.
He's due to appear at Cannock Magistrates’ Court on 14 August.
A Diocese of Northampton spokesperson said "The Diocese of Northampton can confirm that Bishop David Oakley has been charged after an investigation into non-recent safeguarding allegations.
"We understand that this will be very distressing for all concerned but cannot comment further on an active legal process."
The bishop, who was born in Stourbridge in the West Midlands, was ordained in 1980 and previously served in several parishes within the Archdiocese of Birmingham before becoming Bishop of Northampton in 2020.
The bishop remains withdrawn from public ministry.