THE former Methodist minister Steven James Wild was described as a “larger than life” character who could “light up any room” by witnesses giving evidence in his defence as the trial continued today at Truro Crown Court.

The 72-year-old former president of the Methodist Church’s national conference, who also served as chairman of its Cornwall district, is standing trial accused of 10 counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 2004 and 2019 in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Southport, Bristol and Derbyshire.

Wild, of Steeple Close, St Ives, has pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges.

Continuing the defence case, barrister Heather Hope called three witnesses to give evidence, including Wild’s wife Laura, Dr Elizabeth Burroughs and Dr Jill Barber.

A number of written character statements were also read to the court, with several describing Wild as a character who was friendly, sociable, approachable and tactile.

First to give evidence was Dr Burroughs, who was questioned about her interactions with Wild through their shared involvement in the Methodist Church. She told the court she first met him in autumn 2008 and had “got to know him well” over the years.

Describing him as a “huge personality”, she said he was “someone who could light up any room”.

Defence barrister Ms Hope asked Dr Burroughs whether she had witnessed anything in Wild’s behaviour that caused her concern.

She replied: “No.”

She was also asked: “Is there anything Steve has done to you or any others that would lead you to be concerned about his conduct?”

Again, her response was: “No.”

However, prosecution barrister Brian Fitzherbert questioned her about a statement she had given to police in which she said: “Steve had a huge personality. Hugging men and women was part of this. This was okay by me, but I know of other people less happy with this”.

Mr Fitzherbert then asked Dr Burroughs, who had served as a church safeguarding officer for eight years: “Why did you not raise this?”

She replied: “It was not my job. I was a safeguarding officer, but only for my church, and there wasn’t a safeguarding issue.”

Next to give evidence was Dr Barber, who served as vice-president of the Methodist church during the year Wild held the national conference presidency.

She said she had got to know Wild and his wife well after meeting them in 2014 and had regularly travelled with him around Britain and abroad as part of their church duties.

Describing Wild, she said: “Steve is a larger-than-life character, incredibly engaging, kind, humble and with a compassion for people. From the first time I met him, when he initially thought I was a waitress, who he wanted to thank, he showed great love for people.

“That was typical of him, he would notice people that others thought were invisible. He would spot people in distress and would say ‘are you alright?’”

Asked whether she had ever observed anything that caused her concern about his behaviour, she replied: “No, I’ve never seen anything that has made me feel uncomfortable. He was always very attentive and would listen to people.”

Wild’s wife Laura was then called to the witness stand, describing her husband as “warm, welcoming, encouraging and kind”.

The couple met when she was 19 and went on to marry and have three daughters. She told the court that, although an artist herself, she had consistently supported her husband in his church work over the years.

The defence case concluded with four further character references being presented to the court.

The trial has been adjourned until Monday morning, when closing speeches and the judge’s legal directions are expected to take place before the jury retires to consider its verdict.