A Bradford Church Army captain was welcomed back by churchgoers today after a sex charge against him was dropped.

Captain Roy Wheatley had been accused of indecently assaulting a 15-year-old boy while working as a youth worker in Fleetwood, Lancashire, more than 20 years ago.

Mr Wheatley's solicitor has found "incontrovertible evidence" that his client had "was not, and never had been" in Fleetwood prior to December 1973, when the allegations were made.

Following the allegations, the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David Smith, suspended Mr Wheatley from his duties as a licensed lay worker in the parish of Shelf, St Michael and Buttershaw, St Aiden.

Today churchgoers in the parish gave him an enthusiastic welcome back.

Veronica Quantrill said: "Captain Roy is one of the most sincere people you could wish to meet. In the past years he has done so many good things in Buttershaw and Shelf. He has helped hundreds of people.

"There was not one person who doubted his innocence."

Doreen Luciw said: "He always has a smile for people."

Pat Thomas said: "The parish has not been the same without him. Everybody was so down about it - we need him here."

Margaret Noad added: "We have missed him so much."

Mr Wheatley's solicitor, Martin Simpson, said: "In the light of incontrovertible evidence, the Crown understandably has discontinued the allegations leaving Captain Wheatley without a stain on his character.

"He is relieved for himself, and especially his family, that this matter has now been satisfactorily concluded. He wishes only to recommence his work in the community in which he lives and which he seeks to continue to serve."

Bishop Smith said Captain Wheatley would be welcomed back to work.

He added: "I very much hope that he and his family will now be able to put this distressing time behind them."

Team Rector of the Shelf and Buttershaw parish, Canon Peter Stannard, said: "Captain Roy like anyone working in the church or caring profession is highly vulnerable to these kind of accusations.

"This particular instance dated back 20 years. Part of the sacrifice of working in this profession is to cope with that vulnerability but it doesn't lessen the pain of this experience. He has been through a tremendous emotional battering.

"It is fair to say that the response with everybody was they didn't believe it was true, and they felt for Roy and his family in the circumstance while they were going through such a torture so unjustly.

"As far as the church family is concerned there has been solid support.

"It has been extremely tough for him and his wife Doreen. We have as a parish sought to stand by him and we are delighted the case has been dropped.

"We are now looking to go on with life as best we can."

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