André Williams & Deon Green
STAR Writers

Another St Thomas pastor has been taken into custody by the Morant Bay police for sexual offences committed against a minor and is scheduled to face the courts today, THE STAR understands.

The latest case was scheduled to get under way on Monday in the Morant Bay Resident Magistrate's Court, however, attempts failed after the magistrate was absent.

The pastor, whose name is being withheld because of the nature of the offence, remains behind bars.

Information reaching THE STAR is that the pastor, who is of a Prospect address in the parish, was taken into custody on July 27, on allegations that he sexually assaulted a minor two years ago.

Allegations are that in 2012 the pastor assaulted the minor while she was at his home undergoing counselling.

THE STAR gathered that he allegedly fondled and had sex with the minor against her will.

He is charged with rape, grievous sexual assault and sexual grooming.

Further reports reaching our news team is that the man of the cloth allegedly took the 13-year-old girl to his home, after telling her grandmother that he was inviting her to a family dinner as well as to counsel her.

THE STAR gathered that the child was living with the grandmother, who is a member of the church at which the pastor is in charge.

It's further alleged that on arrival at the pastor's home, the child was told to remain in a room.

It's theorised that while she was in the room, the pastor allegedly forced himself on to the minor. The teen reported the matter sometime later.

A report was then filed with the Centre For Investigation Of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) last Thursday following which the pastor was arrested and charged.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, another St Thomas pastor, Daniel Findlay, was charged under the Sexual Offenses Act with three counts of sexual assault with a person under 16 years and one count of grievous sexual assault.

When he last appeared in court the judge advised him that his case will begin soon.

Findlay, 36, appeared in the Morant Bay Resident Magistrate's Court in June. Findlay's bail conditions of $250,000 with stringent measure remain.