St Francis Boys' Home sex abuse inquiry: Two men charged

St Francis Boys' Home closed in the mid-1970s

Two men have been charged with abusing 26 children at a Catholic boys' home in Bedfordshire more than 40 years ago.

James McCann, 79, of Suffield Court, Swaffham, Norfolk, is charged with 18 sexual assaults and 48 assaults in connection with St Francis Boy's Home, Shefford, between 1963 and 1974.

John Cahill, 73, of Chandos Court, Bedford, has been charged with six sexual offences against four boys.

Both men will appear at Luton Magistrates' Court on 30 November.

The charges against Mr McCann relate to 25 alleged victims were aged between five and 16.

Those against Mr Cahill relate to four alleged victims aged between 11 and 16.