Boarding school care worker accused of child sex abuse found dead

By The Press Association17th June 2016News EnglandChild Abuse, Childrens Care Homes, News England, Sexual Abuse, Sussex

A former boarding school worker on trial accused of committing a catalogue of historical child sex abuse has been found dead.

The body of Darren Turk, 54, was discovered at his home in Fontridge Lane, Etchingham, near Hastings, East Sussex, on Thursday morning, police said.

He was on trial at Lewes Crown Court for sex offences allegedly committed at Frewen College in Northiam between 1996 and 2002.

Turk was charged by Sussex Police last year with 14 offences, including rape and indecent assault, against boys aged between 11 and 15.

He was a member of care staff and later head of care at the boarding school but was not a teacher. The charges did not involve any staff or pupils currently at the school.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Mr Turk was found dead at his home in Fontridge Lane, Etchingham, around 8.30am on Thursday. There are no suspicious circumstances and the coroner’s officer has been informed.”