Former Methodist president admits sex abuse

Former Methodist president admits sex abuse
Friday, January 19, 2007

By Claire McNeilly

The Methodist Church in Ireland was left reeling last night after one of its former presidents confessed to a string of sex offences.

Kenneth Best, who headed the church between 1996 and 1997, appeared at Belfast Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a schoolboy in the Sixties.

The 62-year-old father of two admitted to six specific charges of sexual assault between January 1, 1963 and December 31, 1966.

The court heard he was 19 years old when he first interfered with the victim, then aged 14.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last night, a church insider said the revelations were "shocking and very embarrassing" for Methodists here.

"There has been nothing like this in recent history," he said.

He added: "There was no whisper about this case, no inside information, no anticipation, so the feeling in the church is a kind of shock and dismay.

"It would have taken a lot of churchmen by surprise - not to mention sadness, particularly in terms of the victim and his family.

"It is a very serious thing for anyone to do, but particularly a man of cloth who had risen to high office."

Best, whose address was given as Green Road, Belfast, was released on bail after signing the sex offenders' register. He is to be sentenced next month.

Last night, a spokesperson for the Methodist Church remained tight lipped about the case.

"We're not going to issue any statement until a final judgment is put out next month," he said, reserving further comment.

Belfast Recorder Judge Tom Burgess asked for a victim impact report and pre-sentence reports on Best.

Upon releasing him on bail he said it "in no way ties my hands to the eventual disposal of this matter".

Defence QC Eugene Grant confirmed that pre-sentence reports and a number of other reports on Best would be provided for the court.