London Chief Buddhist Thero Charged For More Rape

In September Phalagama Somartana thero of Dulverton Road, Croydon appeared on bail at Feltham Magistrates’ Court charged with rape of another female under 16 between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1978...

Colombo Telegraph

(LONDON Colombo Telegraph) - Pahalagama Somaratana Thero, chief incumbent of Thames Buddhist Vihara, Croydon, has been charged with another eight counts of sexual abuse on Friday, 11 November, the London Metropolitan police told Colombo Telegraph.

According to the metropolitan police these eight indecent assaults on a female under 14 took place between 01 January 1985 and 31 December 1986 at an address in Croydon.

The 65-year old Pahalagama Somaratana thero appeared on bail at Feltham Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 2 December and was bailed to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on 20 December 2011.

On Friday, 23 September Phalagama Somartana thero of Dulverton Road, Croydon appeared on bail at Feltham Magistrates’ Court charged with rape of another female under 16 between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1978.

This is reported to have happened at an address in Chiswick, he also is a suspect in an indecent assault on a female under 16 between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1978 at an address in Chiswick.

Special thanks to the Colombo Telegraph

http://colombotelegraph.com/2011/12/09/london-chief-buddhist-thero-charged-for-more-rape/