First court appearance for Catholic Bishop of Northampton charged with two counts of rape involving girl under the age of 16
The Bishop of Northampton, who lives in Desborough, has appeared in court after on two counts of rape involving a girl under the age of 16 after an investigation by Staffordshire Police.
Bishop David James Oakley, 70, initially withdrew from public ministry and took a leave of absence late last year. His status as Bishop of Northampton remains while legal processes proceed.
He was charged in June with two counts of rape involving a girl under the age of 16.
The case was due to be heard at Cannock Magistrates Court but was switched to Westminster Magistrates Court.
As reported in The Tablet, Bishop Oakley appeared remotely via video conference link accused of two counts of rape of a female aged under 16 in the early 2000s.
He was arrested in September 2025 following an allegation made to Staffordshire Police and an investigation by their rape and serious sexual offences team.
In June, in a statement on behalf of the Diocese of Northampton, a spokesman said the situation would be ‘very distressing for all concerned’.
The spokesman 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.”
Due to the serious nature of the charges, the case was sent to a higher court – the Old Bailey in London – where there is due to be a plea hearing on Thursday, September 10.
The Diocese of Northampton covers Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth was appointed by Pope Leo as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Northampton last month.