THE former leader of the Methodist Church in Cornwall will stand trial next month after appearing at Truro Crown Court.

The Reverend Steven James Wild, 72, faces 11 charges relating to alleged sexual offences against several women between 2004 and 2019.

Wild, of Steeple Close, St Ives, is charged with 10 counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. The alleged incidents are said to have taken place in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Southport, Bristol and Derbyshire.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Wild appeared at Truro Crown Court on Monday (October 12), to hear arrangements for his upcoming trial.

The trial has been scheduled to begin on November 2 and is expected to last three weeks. Wild was remanded on conditional bail until the proceedings begin.

He served as chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Methodist District from 2008 until 2022.

Wild was suspended from his role in September 2021 while a safeguarding investigation was carried out. In March 2022, it was confirmed that he would not be returning to ministry.