Methodist minister denies sexually assaulting five women

Summarised from BBC Cornwall's report · Updated 4 Nov, 22:02 · Archive

A former senior Methodist Church figure denies 11 charges of sexual assault against five women over an 11-year period.

Steven Wild, 72, of St Ives, denies 11 charges of sexual assault and indecent assault between 2004 and 2015. At Truro Crown Court, prosecutors alleged he assaulted five women who encountered him through the Methodist Church. The prosecutor told the jury the sexual assaults were 'non-consensual sexual touching' which often happened in public, and that Wild's senior position within the church meant his touching 'was easily disguised'.

One alleged victim said Wild put his arms around her, kissed her on the cheek more than 20 times, and made moaning and groaning noises while telling her she was very special. When she tried to make a complaint, church members told her Wild was 'a wonderful man' and the church was at 'war with Satan', the court heard. The allegations emerged in 2018 during a safeguarding review, when five women came forward.

Read the report

• Minister's alleged sexual touching was 'disguised'A court hears complaints came to light after a safeguarding review.BBC Cornwall · 4 Nov, 15:49

In this story: Steven Wild · Methodist Church · St Ives · Cornwall · Truro Crown Court

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