Priest Tells of His ‘shock’ at Arrest

Lancashire Evening Post
November 14, 2013

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/priest-tells-of-his-shock-at-arrest-1-6243047

Shocked: Stephen Shield

A senior priest has told a court of the moment he was arrested by police probing allegations of sexual assault made against him.

Stephen Shield, 53, was due to officiate at a funeral service two hours after his arrest.

He denies three counts of indecent assault against a man - who had dreams of joining the priesthood - more than two decades ago.

Shield trained in Rome and spent some time at English Martyrs Church in Garstang Road, Preston, where two of the offences were alleged to have taken place.

Dressed in a blue jumper and shirt, he took to the witness stand at Preston Crown Court to be cross examined at his trial.

He said: “I was supposed to conduct a funeral at 9.30am that morning. I was lying in bed going through the last few words of the service in my head. “I was concerned about the family that I knew very well having another priest.”

Shield was taken to a police station and interviewed, with a female duty solicitor present. The court heard he made no comment.

When asked to explain why he said: “ I was so shocked by the arrest I couldn’t think clearly about anything so I was grateful for her presence. I didn’t answer the questions because I was advised not to.”

During his evidence, Shield told the jury of five women and seven men that he had been questioned beforeby ‘safeguarding’ staff in the Lancaster Diocese regarding the same alleged victim. (Proceeding)