Jamaican Pastor on Buggery Charge Offered Bail

St. Lucia News
May 12, 2017

https://www.stlucianewsonline.com/caribbean-jamaican-pastor-on-buggery-charge-offered-bail/


Embattled pastor of the Bunker’s Hill New Testament Church of God in Trelawny, Presley Smith, who has been charged with a sexual offence against a minor, was granted bail in the sum of $450,000 when he appeared in the Falmouth Parish Court yesterday.

He is scheduled to return to court on June 22 when the matter will again be mentioned.

As part of his bail condition, the 27-year-old pastor, who is a native of Kingston, is to report to the Constant Spring Police Station three days per week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) between the hours of 6:00am and 7:00pm.

He is also to surrender his travel documents, have no communication with the complainant, and not to visit the parish of Trelawny unless he is attending court in that parish.

Allegations are that between January 2016 and January of this year, Smith, who currently lives in this rural Trelawny community, committed a number of sexual offences against a 15-year-old male student who hails from the district and is now residing in Montego Bay, St James.

Smith was later interviewed by investigators from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) and was last Friday slapped with charges of buggery, gross indecency, and grievous sexual assault.

Yesterday Smith, who has since been withdrawn from pastoral duties, arrived at the back entrance to the building that houses the Falmouth Courthouse under the watchful eyes of the police. He was dressed in a plaid shirt, khaki-looking pants, while his head was covered with a yellow towel.

A number of people, several from the Bunker’s Hill community where Smith preached for over two years, watched keenly as he was ushered by cops into the small court room.

One elderly woman said to be a member of the Bunker’s Hill New Testament Church reportedly sobbed when she saw the pastor entering the building.

Inside the courthouse, Smith listened attentively as the damning allegations were read.

Attorney Everal Webster, who represented the pastor in court, denied all the charges.

Smith was subsequently granted bail.

“It really hurts to see the pastor in such a situation. I hope justice will be done,” said an elderly woman as Smith left the courthouse.