David James Oakley, the Bishop of Northampton, has been charged with two counts of raping a girl under the age of 16. The 70-year-old cleric was arrested in September 2025 following an investigation into non-recent safeguarding allegations within the Diocese of Northampton.
Oakley is scheduled to appear at Cannock Magistrates' Court on August 14. Staffordshire Police confirmed the charges, stating that the investigation was conducted by their Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team. The bishop, described as white British and residing in Desborough, Kettering, faces the charges stemming from an allegation made to the police.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Diocese of Northampton acknowledged the distressing nature of the situation but indicated they could not comment further on an active legal process.