17 Jun 2016

Clergyman cleared of indecent assault

3:45 pm on 17 June 2016

A clergyman has been cleared of indecently assaulting a young parishioner.

Verghese Souri, 51, had been on trial in the Wellington District Court earlier this week.

He was said to have touched the complainant's breasts before a Sunday service in May last year.

However, a jury acquitted him at the end of the trial.

Strict suppression orders surrounding the case prevent the name of the church or the age of the complainant being revealed.