Former Cardiff University chaplain denies sexual assault
- Published
Paul Overend (right) was priest at St Teilo's church in Cathays in 1997
A former Cardiff University chaplain has denied indecently assaulting a 20-year-old student at a party 23 years ago.
The alleged incident happened in 1997 when the Reverend Paul Overend was 30 and priest at St Teilo's, Cathays.
The alleged victim was "completely rooted to the spot" during the assault in the kitchen of the chaplaincy, the court heard.
Mr Overend, 54, now of Lincoln, is on trial at Newport Crown Court.
Harry Baker, prosecuting, described how Mr Overend followed the complainant into the chaplaincy kitchen at Park Place, before assaulting her.
The incident only ended when someone else came in, he said.
Giving evidence, the alleged victim described being "absolutely frozen solid", adding: "My head was saying move, 'just move'.
'In shock and dazed'
"I wanted to get away but I couldn't. I could feel his arms around me, he was pressed against me."
The woman told the jury she "didn't know what to do or who to tell", being left "in shock and dazed".
"I tried to carry on as normal, but it was not normal and I left," she said.
The alleged assault happened in the kitchen of the Cardiff University chaplaincy on Park Place
She said she spoke to a friend about it in January 2019 after hearing a radio report about abuse in the church.
They looked up Mr Overend online and discovered he worked at Lincoln Cathedral, the court heard.
The complainant described the initial response from senior clergy as "not great", saying it took two attempts to report the alleged incident.
"She [the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral] wasn't very receptive to what we were saying. She was dismissive," she added.
Rev Overend is on trial at Newport Crown Court
Vicar had 'no recollection' of party
A transcript of an interview between South Wales Police and The Rev Overend was read to the court, in which officers asked if he remembered an incident involving a 20-year-old student.
He said: "No, not at all, I have no recollection, nothing at all."
Asked if he knew why the allegation had been made, he told officers in the voluntary interview conducted in Lincoln, "It makes no sense to me".
"It would be so out of character, I don't relate to people like that," he added.
The trial continues.