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Former church leader and wife charged with rape

Alex MossYorkshire
Google A red brick two-storey building with a modern sign attached to the outside which reads 'The Crowded House'.Google
Stephen Timmis was leader of The Crowded House church when the offences were alleged to have happened

A former church leader and his wife have been charged with several counts of rape dating back to 2008.

Police said Stephen and Janet Timmis, aged 68 and 61, of Psalter Lane, Sheffield, had each been charged with eight counts of rape against the same woman following a report of non-recent sexual abuse.

The charges relate to offences alleged to have taken place between May and September 2008 while Timmis was a leader at The Crowded House church in the city.

The pair have been released on bail to appear at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on 1 December, police said.

South Yorkshire Police said their inquiries suggested former church members may have information that could assist the investigation and urged them to come forward.

"Anyone with information will be offered appropriate support as required," they added.