CENTRAL TV newsman Andy Bevan has been bailed without charge after being questioned on suspicion of gross indecency.

Mr Bevan, 34, was arrested at an address in Ormond Road, Wantage, on Wednesday and taken to Newbury police station in relation to an investigation by West Mercia Police.

Mr Bevan, of Ormond Road, who presents and edits the news for Central South, was arrested on suspicion of gross indecency with a 15-year-old boy.

It is believed the investigation relates to an alleged incident in 1986 in Telford, Shropshire.

Mr Bevan was last night released on police bail, and may be asked to return for further questioning later.

A Central TV spokesman said: "Andy has spoken to his colleagues in the newsroom about the matter but it is far too early for the company to make any sort of decision.

"We do not know when he will be back at work and we cannot comment any further."

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "He has not been charged with any offence." Last year, fire crews were called to the Central TV studio in Abingdon after he accidentally set off the fire alarm with his hairdryer just before going on air.

He has worked at Abingdon for eight years and joined the company as a film editor.

Neighbours said they were shocked and surprised by the news of Mr Bevan's arrest. Student James Shepherd, 22, said his family occasionally received junk mail for Mr Bevan but he had never been to collect it.

He said: "He must have been extremely shocked to have suddenly heard from the police about something which may or may not have happened in 1986."

A female resident, who would not be named, said: "We do watch Central TV. It's quite shocking that something should be dragged up from all those years ago."

Mrs Lynne Richardson, supervisor at The Lord Nelson pub in nearby Charlton Road, said: "I regularly watch Andy Bevan on Central TV and I am stunned by this.

Anthony Cox, 23, of Charlton Road, added: "This could all be Chinese whispers. We'll just have to see what happens."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.

In May, 1998, Mr Bevan returned to work after the investigation against him was dropped. The Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence. See the link below for that story.