Sidcup Man, 84, Faces 47 Child Sex Abuse Charges Before Sudden Death
Decades of Sickening Abuse Alleged
Edward Sweeney, 84, of Welbeck Avenue, Sidcup, was charged with a staggering 47 child sex abuse offences before his sudden death. The horrific claims involve nine boys aged between eight and 14 at the time of abuse.
The alleged crimes stretch from the late 1960s right up to 2010, spanning locations in Sidcup, Kent, and even overseas in Portugal, Turkey, and Hungary.
Grim List of Charges Includes 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 charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service on January 2, 2024, after a Metropolitan Police investigation launched in November 2023.
Case Collapses as Accused Dies Suddenly
Sweeney suffered a heart attack just weeks after being charged. Bromley Magistrates’ Court confirmed his death on March 18.
With Sweeney’s death certificate awaited, the case against him will be dropped, ending any chance of justice for the victims.
This shocking case exposes decades of child abuse across multiple countries, leaving a dark shadow over Sidcup and beyond.
