A former Cunard Line kids' activity supervisor, Paul Trotter, 34, of Pontefract, West Yorkshire, U.K., has been charged with a sex attack on a child, the police department in Wiltshire, United Kingdom said today.
In a corporate statement issued today, Cunard Line said, "We are deeply shocked by these allegations as the safety and wellbeing of our customers is of paramount importance to us. A thorough police investigation is underway which we are supporting and cooperating with fully. Given that the police inquiry is ongoing, we cannot comment any further or answer any questions at this stage."
Trotter is accused of allegedly possessing indecent images of children and a sexual assault of a child aged under 13 between December 20, 2010 and January 5, 2011. Wiltshire Police said the assault was allegedly committed while Trotter was working for Cunard as a supervisor for a children's activity area.
The Cunard statement also said the line is working closely with the National Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), a U.K.-based charity which specializes in supporting children and families, to ensure that affected families and children are offered appropriate support.
"Following these allegations being made, we also asked the NSPCC to conduct an independent comprehensive review of our facilities, policies and procedures," said the Cunard statement. "This review is underway and we will be implementing any recommendations resulting from this review."
As part of its investigation, the police department is also contacting parents of any children who may have come into contact with Trotter.
Following a North West Wiltshire Magistrates' Court hearing, Trotter was taken into police custody. He was initially arrested last summer on suspicion of making, possessing and distributing of indecent images, but the more serious charge of a sex attack on a child was just added.