BREAKING NEWS: Etchingham man on trial over Northiam school child sex offences found dead

Darren Turk, 54, had been charged with historical sexual offences against young boys at Frewen College between 1996 and 2002.

Turk was accused of committing the crimes while he was a member of care staff and later head of care at the college.

He was charged following an investigation by detectives from the East Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit.

The charges did not involve any staff or pupils currently at the school.

It is not yet known how Turk died.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “The trial of Etchingham man Darren Turk on historic sexual offence charges alleged to have been committed at Frewen College in Northiam between 1996 and 2002 has been stopped after the death of the accused.

“Mr Turk was found dead at his home in Fontridge Lane, Etchingham around 8.30am on Thursday (June 16),

“There are no suspicious circumstances and the coroner’s officer has been informed.”

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