A BARNSLEY church deacon has been convicted of sexual assault.
Rev Deacon John Wright, of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Penistone, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court accused of intentionally kissing and touching a woman and that the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.
Wright, aged 64, of Ingbirchworth Road, Thurlstone, pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The charges related to an incident on January 23 at a Barnsley food bank where both the deacon and his victim were volunteers.
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court that on that date she was on a corridor alone when Wright walked in.
As she had not seen him since before Christmas she wished him a happy new year and threw open her arms to give him a hug.
She pecked him on the cheek and he responded in kind.
He then pressed his lips to hers pushing his tongue into her mouth.
She told the court: “He pressed his lips onto my lips then forced his tongue into my mouth touching my teeth.
“As I pushed away he cupped my breasts with a smirk or a half smile on his face.
“I was shocked and frightened. It really shook me up I didn’t know what to do.”
The food bank supervisor was informed as were the police.
At Barnsley Police Station he denied touching the woman’s breasts but admitted he had kissed her.
At court he said the kiss was not sexual.
“It was a strong kiss because I was pleased to see her. There was no sexual gratification, I was pleased to see her as a friendly worker.”
The jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts after deliberating for almost four hours.
Wright is set to be sentenced on September 14.
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