Priest who was accused of indecently assaulting a student at a party says he has no recollection of ever meeting her, a court heard.
Former Cardiff University chaplain and priest Paul Overend is accused of kissing the woman at a gathering at his home in 1997. The 54-year-old denies the accusations and his trial at Newport Crown Court started on Tuesday. On Wednesday Overend took to the witness box to give evidence. Simon Kitchen, defending, asked Overend: “Did you ever indecently assault [the alleged victim]?” Overend said: “I did not.” Mr Kitchen added: “Do you have any recollection of her whatsoever?” Overend replied: “No.” The incident is alleged to have happened in 1997 at the chaplaincy in Park Place in Cardiff where he lived at the time.
The court heard that Overend was previously married and divorced before he took holy orders in 1993. During his time as chaplain at Cardiff University Overend told the court he had four relationships with students from the university and then a member of staff who he later married. Entire Llanelli school closed due to staff testing positive for Covid-19. In 2017 Overend said he took up his “dream job” as chancellor at Lincoln Cathedral but added he was “pulled immediately” from the post in April 2019 after the allegations were made.
Overend told the jury that he and his wife lived in cathedral accommodation and after April 2019 they were forced to live elsewhere.
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Judith is a believer, a lover of Christ and a Gospel freak person. A passionate gospel blogger and press writer. I work with GospelHitsNaija.net Media, no 1 Gospel music platform.
