A PRIEST has been further remanded on bail on indecency charges arising from police investigations centred on St Mary's Hall preparatory school, Stonyhurst.

John James Pearson, 87, of Winckley Square, Preston, first appeared before Blackburn magistrates court in April charged with two offences of indecent assault on former pupils at the school dating back to 1973.

A further 18 charges have since been made against him, five of indecent assault on a male under the age of 14, three of gross indecency with a male, four of indecent assault on a female under the the age of 14, four of gross indecency with a female, taking an indecent photograph of a child and possession of an indecent photograph of a male child.

All matters were adjourned until October 14 by prior arrangement and Pearson did not appear in court.

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