(UNITED KINGDOM)
Derby Telegraph [Derby, England]
September 16, 2025
By Oscar Fisher
He has been charged with seven counts of sexual assault across five different counties
A former reverend and leader of a Methodist church has appeared in court over sexual assault charges. The Reverend Steven Wild appeared at Truro Magistrates’ Court in Cornwall on Monday (September 15), where he faced seven counts of sexual assault on females in Derbyshire, Cornwall, Devon, Merseyside and Bristol.
He was also charged with one count of indecent assault on a female in Cornwall in 2004. The alleged offences spanned between 2004 and 2019. Wild pleaded not guilty to the offences.
He was released on court bail and is next due to appear at Truro Crown Court on October 17. The 70-year-old, from St Ives, was suspended from his role as district chairman for the Methodist Church in the Duchy and the Isles of Scilly in September 2021, Cornwall Live reports.
It was later announced that Mr Wild, who was the most senior figure at the church, would not return to his job. Devon and Cornwall Police have said: “Wild was postal requisitioned in connection with seven counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.
“This is an ongoing criminal case and as such we urge the public not to speculate as this risks prejudicing proceedings.”
Oscar Fisher Trainee Reporter