Edward Sweeney, 84, from Welbeck Avenue, Sidcup, was hit with a staggering 47 child sex abuse charges before his sudden death.
Horrific allegations spanning decades
The sickening claims involve nine separate boys aged between eight and 14 at the time. The alleged abuse dates all the way from the late 1960s through to 2010. Locations included Sidcup, Kent, and even abroad in Portugal, Turkey, and Hungary.
Charges include multiple counts of child rape
- 3 counts of rape of a child under 13
- 27 counts of indecent assault
- 5 counts of indecency with a child
- 7 counts of sexual assault of a child
- 5 counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised these charges on January 2, 2024, following a Met Police investigation launched in November 2023 after initial reports.
Death halts the case
Sweeney suffered a heart attack weeks after being charged. On March 18, Bromley Magistrates’ Court confirmed his death. The case against him will be dropped once his death certificate is submitted.
This shocking saga exposes decades of abuse that spanned multiple countries and decades, leaving a dark cloud over Sidcup and beyond.
