Former church leader denies sexual assault charges

Former methodist church leader Steven Wild appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday

A former methodist church leader has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and indecent assault, a court has heard.

Steven Wild, 71, of Steeple Close in St Ives, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday.

Wild was charged with eleven offences which involved a number of women between 2004 and 2019.

A trial has been set for November 2026 and he has been remanded on unconditional bail until a review hearing in September next year.

Wild, who was chair of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Methodist Circuit between 2002 and 2022, was accused of indecently assaulting a woman aged 16 or over in Newquay in March 2004.

He was also accused of sexually assaulting the same victim on the Isles of Scilly on two occasions in May 2004.

He also denied charges of sexually assaulting three women aged 16 or over in Derbyshire, Devon, Southport and Bristol between 2005 and 2019.

Devon and Cornwall Police issued a statement at the time of his charge and said: "We would urge people not to speculate on this case, especially on social media, and risk prejudicing proceedings."