Retired vicar accused of sexual assault leapt like rabbit
An 85-year-old retired vicar leapt "like a rabbit out of a rabbit hole" to sexually assault a female curate, a court heard.
Rev Geraint Hughes is accused of leaping on the trainee vicar who tried to fend off the elderly clergyman by telling him, "Let us pray." But Mr Hughes continued to plant kisses on her while stroking the woman's neck and hair, the jury was told.
Mr Hughes, the former Dean of Brecon Cathedral in Wales, lost his wife and daughter the year before he allegedly lunged at the curate.
Prosecutor Nicola Powell, said, "He told her he really missed having cuddles and needed some. As he hugged her he said 'This is nice physical contact'. He attempted to kiss her and caught her on the lips on one occasion."
The curate, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was visiting Mr Hughes's home to discuss Sunday services. She told Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court that when she arrived at his home on February 20th 2019 she gave Mr Hughes a brief hug.
She said, "When I got up to leave he got out of his chair like a rabbit out of a rabbit hole. He came towards me quite fast with his arms out. It wasn't like a normal hug, he had my arms pinned."
Mr Hughes, of Llandrindod Wells, Powys, denies sexual assault, saying it was a misunderstanding. He admitted giving her one kiss but he did not "cross the line". The trial continues.
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