Pastor on buggery charge stumbles at courthouse door

Presley Smith, the pastor of the New Testament Church  of God in Bunkers Hill, Trelawny, stumbled badly as he made his way to court on Wednesday.

The clergyman who was arrested and charged with buggery, indecent exposure and grievous sexual assault last week, had a large towel covering his face which may have impacted his visibility. As he was ushered in the courthouse, Smith hit his foot against the step and stumbled into a metal gate.

Smith is accused of molesting a 15 year old schoolboy, who is reportedly a member of his congregation. Reports are that Smith baptised the youngster just weeks ago.

When Smith arrived at the entrance of the Trelawy Parish Court in the back of a police car at approximately 10:10 a.m., a large crowd, inclusive of some of his church members, had gathered there to get a glimpse of him. However, the police quickly ushered him into the building.       

When Smith re-emerged from the courthouse, with the towel still covering his face and his hands still bound, some members of his congregation began crying while others turned away their faces, sobbing quietly. He was quickly taken away in a waiting police car.

A court official told THE STAR that Smith was offered bail in the sum of $450,000 and is scheduled to return to court on June 22.