Portsmouth Choirmaster Hit with Fresh Child Sex Charges
Mark Burgess, a choirmaster from St Chads Avenue, Hilsea, Portsmouth, faces a grave new wave of child sex abuse charges.
New Charges Push Total to 73 Offences
Initially charged in February with 58 counts—including indecent assault, gross indecency with a child, inciting sexual activity, and sexual touching—Burgess now faces an additional 15 offences.
Hampshire Constabulary’s Operation Marmion detectives have linked these new charges to two more victims, taking the total accused offences to 73.
Abuse Spanned Over Three Decades
The offences involve 13 children, all under 16, from Burgess’s long tenure as choirmaster at All Saints church choir in Portsmouth and the Westbourne Choir in Sussex between 1975 and 2009.
Next Court Date Set
Burgess has been bailed and is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 23 July.
Support for Victims
Police urge anyone affected by child sexual abuse to come forward by calling 101 to speak confidentially with specialist detectives.
- Childline: 0800 11 11
- NSPCC Helpline (for adults concerned about a child): 0808 800 5000
