A Methodist minister has denied any sexual motive to his 'tactile' behaviour as he gives evidence at trial where he is accused of sexual assault.

Rev Steven Wild, formerly the most senior Methodist in Cornwall, told Truro Crown Court on Thursday that he is “tactile” and “touchy” but has never been sexually attracted to women in his congregation.

The 72-year-old from St Ives denies ten counts of sexual assault and one of indecent assault against several adult women who were members of the Methodist Church.

The alleged offences span 2004 to 2019 and took place in the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, Devon, Southport, Bristol and Derbyshire.

The prosecution alleges he hugged women for far longer than necessary, touched their thighs, legs or knees, and repeatedly kissed their cheeks. Some complainants said they felt unable to speak out because of his seniority and were told it was just “Steve being Steve”. One woman said he pressed his groin against her leg.

When asked about this, Wild replied: “I pushed my groin into nobody but my lovely wife.”

However, Wild did describe hugging and touching as common in church life, which he says was an expression of “the oneness of the body of Christ”. He originally told the police that he couldn't remember if he had put his hand on a woman's thigh, but any contact like that would have been accidental.

In reference to complaints that people felt they couldn't question his behaviour because of his seniority, he denied suggesting to women that complaining about him would be "doing the Devil’s work".   

Wild told his barrister: "I don't talk about Satan...Only in Bible studies. I would never refer to Satan in that way. I would never do that."

The court heard that the Methodist Church carried out seven safeguarding audits in Cornwall between 2018 and 2021 and that he was suspended in 2021.