BA pilot found dead was accused of child abuse offences
A British Airways pilot who was found dead was accused of child abuse offences in the UK and faced similar allegations in Africa.
Simon Wood, 54, of Hertfordshire – who was hit by a train last month – allegedly molested children while taking part in a BA-backed charity event at an orphanage in Kenya in 2002.
He had been due to appear at Southwark Crown Court last Friday.
BA said it had been "shocked and horrified" to learn of the allegations and had no knowledge of them until July this year when it received an anonymous letter.
It said: "We set up an investigation team, sent it to Kenya and uncovered information that gave us cause for concern. We immediately contacted the Metropolitan Police, who arrested Mr Wood a day later.
"Support for children’s homes and schools in Kenya has been part of our community programme for more than 20 years.
"Cabin crew and flight crew on stopovers in Nairobi often volunteer to visit the establishments while off-duty to help the permanent staff provide activities for the disadvantaged children in their care. All our crew undergo criminal record checks.
"We would be absolutely appalled if it transpired that an employee of ours had been cynically using this charitable work as a cover for exploitation of children he was trusted to help.
"We remain fully committed to supporting our charitable projects in Kenya and elsewhere."
Mr Wood, who died on 18 August, had faced one count of indecent assault of a girl under 16, two counts of making indecent photographs of a child and one count of possessing indecent images of a child, Scotland Yard said.
During Easter 2002, Mr Wood was among 20 crew members from two BA flights who volunteered to spend the holiday period with the Kenyan youngsters, showering the orphanage with presents, medicines and donations.
A law firm representing 12 children in Kenya said it may take legal action against the airline.
Martyn Day, from legal firm Leigh Day, told the BBC: "We are currently investigating how Mr Wood was allowed to have such access to these Kenyan children and also the extent of the allegations against Mr Wood in relation to his actions in the UK."
Diane
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