SOURCE: DAILY OBSERVER- A pastor appeared before the High Court accused of performing cunnilingus and digital penetration on a young woman during a massage.

The trial commenced yesterday before Justice Stanley John, with the accused facing two counts of serious indecency allegedly committed on 18 March 2023.

The complainant, who was 25 at the time of the alleged incident, testified that the pastor had served as a spiritual mentor following her introduction to his church in June 2022. She told the court she had confided in him regarding financial difficulties and mental health concerns, and he encouraged her to contact him whenever she needed support.

In September 2022, while recovering from a knee ligament injury, the woman said she received a home visit from the pastor, who brought her groceries and $200.

Some time later, the court heard that he recommended a massage to alleviate stress she was experiencing.

The complainant testified that she initially believed she was being offered a gift certificate for a spa. However, on the day in question, the pastor collected her shortly after 1:00 p.m. and gave her $400 in cash, with a promise of an additional $300 the following Tuesday to assist with outstanding debts.

He then drove to a private apartment when, she told the court, she realized he would be conducting the massage himself. She stated that she trusted him as he claimed to be certified.

According to her testimony, during the massage he asked her to remove her underwear. After removing a towel covering her lower body, he commented that her vagina was “very beautiful” before asking if he could perform oral sex on her. Without receiving a verbal response, he allegedly pushed her legs towards her chest and engaged in non-consensual oral contact for approximately 45 seconds before inserting his fingers in her vagina.

The complainant testified that she attempted to push him away with her legs. After approximately three to four minutes, he asked if she wanted him to stop, to which she replied yes. She told the court tears streamed down her face after the incident, although the darkened room prevented him from seeing this.

Following the alleged assault, the woman immediately messaged her mother and a friend while she was still in the pastor’s vehicle. Before returning her home, he stopped at a restaurant to purchase food and while in the car park he went to his trunk to retrieve wipes and mouthwash.

The following Monday, the pastor delivered the remaining $300 to her. Shortly after his departure, the complainant sent him a message expressing feelings of betrayal and informing him she had disclosed the incident to her mother. When he returned that evening, she recorded their conversation, during which she testified he apologised profusely, stated that his “life flashed before his eyes” and offered to fund therapy sessions while pleading with her not to pursue legal action. She reported the matter to police on March 23.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel Wendel Alexander, the complainant acknowledged she had not verbally refused when the pastor asked to perform oral sex, nor had she said “stop” during the act itself.

The defence noted she had accepted the remaining money days after the alleged assault and suggested her response of “I’ve had better” indicated consent, which she denied. Alexander then put it to the witness that she was “a gold digger trying to see how much money you could get out of him”, an assertion she rejected.

The defence also highlighted timeline inconsistencies, noting the complainant had told police the oral sex lasted three to four minutes, whilst her court testimony stated 45 seconds.

In re-examination by prosecutor Curtis Cornelius, she clarified the entire incident lasted three to four minutes, with digital penetration commencing around the 45-second mark. She further explained she accepted the money because she had an urgent debt repayment due that week.

The complainant’s mother testified that the pastor visited their home and apologized for “violating” her daughter, stating he did not know what came over him. When she informed him that she would seek legal counsel, he pleaded with her to consider his church and family. She responded by asking him to consider her daughter.

During cross-examination, the mother confirmed that she was aware that the pastor had provided groceries and financial assistance to her daughter, but denied they were financially motivated in pursuing charges. She stated she was unaware her daughter was recording the pastor’s apology and denied planning any confrontation.

The trial continues today.