Baljit Ubhey, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, said:
"We have carefully considered the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police Service as part of Operation Yewtree in relation to Christopher Denning, who was initially arrested on 3 June 2013 over allegations of sexual offences. A full file of evidence was passed to the CPS on 6 March 2014.
"Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Denning to be charged with 41 offences, including 34 counts of indecent assault. These date from between 1967 and 1985, and relate to 22 male complainants aged between nine and 16 at the time of the alleged offending."
The charges are:
1. Two offences of indecent assault on a boy aged 12 – 14 between 1967 – 1970
2. One offence of indecency with a child and one offence of indecent assault on a boy aged 9 – 11 between 1969 – 71
3. One offence of indecent assault on a boy aged 14 – 16 between 1971 – 73
4. Two offences of indecent assault on a boy aged 14 – 15 in 1973
5. One offence of indecent assault on a boy and one offence of buggery on a boy aged 13 – 14 between 1973 – 75
6. One offence of indecency with a child and two offences of indecent assault on a boy aged 12 – 14 between 1976 – 77
7. One offence of indecent assault on a boy aged 14 between 1978 – 79
8. One offence of indecent assault on a boy aged 14 between 1978 – 79
9. One offence of buggery and two offences of indecent assault on a boy aged 14 – 15 between 1978 – 79
10. One offence of indecent assault on a boy aged 12 between 1978 – 79
11. Two offences of indecent assault on a boy aged 13 – 15 between 1978 – 80
12. Two offences of indecent assault on a boy aged 12 between 1979 – 80
13. One offence of indecency with child on a boy aged 12 – 14 between 1981 – 82
14. Two offences of indecent assault and one offence of attempted buggery on a boy aged 10 – 13 between 1980 – 83
15. Two offences of indecent assault on a boy aged 10 – 13 between 1980 – 83
16. One offence of indecent assault on a boy aged 12 between 1982 – 83
17. Two offences of indecent assault on a boy aged 13 – 14 between 1982 – 83
18. One offence of indecent assault on a boy aged 14 in 1983
19. One offence of indecent assault and one offence of indecency with a child on a boy aged 11 – 12 in 1982
20. Three offences of indecent assault on a boy aged 12 – 14 between 1983 – 84
21. Two offences of indecent assault on a boy aged 12 – 13 between 1983 – 84
22. Two offences of indecent assault on a boy aged 16 between 1984 – 85
Ms Ubhey said:
"The decision to prosecute has been taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and Crown Prosecution Service legal guidance on rape and child sexual abuse. We have determined that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest.
"Mr Denning will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday 23 May 2014. "We have also decided that no further action should be taken in relation to three further allegations against Mr Denning, made by three further complainants, as we determined that there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.
"May I remind all concerned that Mr Denning has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
