Former church leader charged with sexual assaults
Steven Wild appeared at Truro Magistrates' Court on Monday
- Published
A former methodist church leader has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and indecent assault, police have said.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed Steven Wild, 71, from St Ives, appeared at Truro Magistrates' Court on Monday.
He was charged with seven counts of sexual assault on women in Devon, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Merseyside and Bristol between 2004 and 2019 and one count of indecent assault on a woman in Cornwall in 2004.
Police said Mr Wild had been released on bail and was due to appear at Truro Crown Court on 17 October.
Mr Wild was chair of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Methodist District from 2008 until 2022.
A spokesperson for the force added: "This is an ongoing criminal case and as such we urge the public not to speculate as this risks prejudicing proceedings."
Follow BBC Cornwall on X, external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk, external.