Former Crawley foster carer charged with decades-long sex offences

Stanley Taylor is accused of 21 offences involving three girls

Author: Shaunna BurnsPublished 10th Mar 2026

A former foster carer from Crawley has been charged with 21 sexual offences involving three young girls, spanning several decades.

Stanley Taylor, 94, residing in Theydon Close, Crawley, faces 15 counts of indecent assault, two counts of sexual assault of a child, two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl, and two charges of indecency with a child.

The charges encompass alleged incidents occurring from 1971 to 2009, which include Taylor’s tenure as a foster carer from 1971 to 1991.

During these years, he is understood to have fostered around 20 children.

The investigation was initiated after Sussex Police received a report in November 2019, leading to an inquiry that provided victims with specialist support.

Taylor has been charged and is out on conditional bail, with his trial scheduled for 8th March 2027.

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