Martin Howe: suspended

A Salvation Army leader has been charged by police with indecent assault against two 16-year-old girls.

One of the assaults is alleged to have taken place in York.

Martin Howe, captain of the Salvation Army in York from 1996 to 1997, is now suspended in the organisation.

He was charged following a six-month investigation by child protection officers.

The 39-year-old old, from Gosport, Hants, was released on unconditional police bail. He will appear before Fareham magistrates on November 17.

The two charges date back to between 1994 and 1996 when he was understood to be captain of the Salvation Army in Bridgewater, Somerset, and York.

A Salvation Army spokesman said today: "I can confirm that Mr Howe has been suspended.

"But given that this is now the subject of a police investigation it would be inappropriate to comment other than to say that we take matters like this extremely seriously.

"The Salvation Army clearly has procedures for dealing with such matters and we always act in accordance with the law and laid-down precedents.

"We will be happy to co-operate with the police in any investigation."

Hampshire police officers travelled to Bridgwater and York earlier this week as part of their inquiry, which began six months ago.

Mr Howe, who ran Gosport's Salvation Army with his wife, Lynda, also a captain, went to the town's police station yesterday accompanied by his lawyer.

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