A MAN has been charged with 73 sex offences against children related to choirs in Hampshire and Sussex.
Mark Burgess, 66, of St Chads Avenue in Hilsea, was initially charged on February 3 this year with 58 counts of offences.
The offences included indecent assault, gross indecency with a child, inciting sexual activity with a child, and sexual touching against 11 children.
This week, detectives from Hampshire Police’s Operation Marmion team charged him with a further 15 offences against an additional two victims, bringing the total up to 73 offences.
The offences relate to 13 children in total, who were under the age of 16, during Burgess’s time as a choirmaster for the All Saints church choir in Portsmouth, and Westbourne Choir in Sussex between 1975 and 2009.
Burgess was bailed to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on July 23.
A Hampshire Police spokesperson said: "We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to contact police on 101 where you can speak with our specialist detectives in confidence.
"Alternatively, contact Childline on 0800 11 11, or if you are an adult who has concerns about a child, you can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000."
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