Ex-Portsmouth choirmaster charged for sex offences including buggery on 11 children

Mark Burgess, 66, of St Chads Avenue in Hilsea, was charged yesterday by Hampshire police with 58 counts of offences that include buggery, indecent assault, gross indecency with a child, inciting sexual activity with a child, and sexual touching.

The offences relate to 11 children, who were under the age of 16, during Burgess’s time as a choirmaster for All Saints Choir in Portsmouth and Westbourne Choir in Sussex between 1976 and 2009

Burgess was bailed to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday March 3.

‘Detectives from Operation Marmion team have charged a man with non-recent sex offences against children,’ a police spokesman said.

Victims of abuse can contact contact Child Line on 08001111 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.