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	Exclusive: Randy Rev Preyed on Me.. in His Wife's Car Exclusive Married Vicar Quits after Steamy Affair with One of His Flock By Sarah Arnold and Amy Nelmes Sunday Mirror [United Kingdom] October 29, 2006 http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/tm_headline=randy-rev-preyed-on-me---in-his-wife-s-car-& method=full&objectid=18008659&siteid=62484-name_page.html In his starched dog collar and formal cassock, the Reverend Alastair Kendall was the very picture of propriety. Over tea and biscuits, he mingled with his parishioners after preaching on how to be a good Christian. But there was one of the Ten Commandments he couldn't keep himself: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife. For while married Rev Kendall, 51, appeared pious to the congregation, one member of his close-knit flock has a very different story to tell. Worshipper Marie Perrett claims the vicar seduced her and would whisper at church meetings: "Can't wait to get back to yours later." The pair first met when mum-of-two Marie turned to her local church for help after her relationship broke down in January 2003. But, she says, instead of comforting her with spiritual guidance, the married father of four lured her into bed. Marie, 31 said: "I was at my lowest ebb when I walked into Alastair's church. I wanted help but instead I ended up being his mistress. "He caught me when my confidence was at an all-time low and I was flattered by his attentions. He was so kind and I was attracted to him. Now I just feel betrayed and used." The affair has rocked the village of Bream in Gloucestershire and left his congregation "shocked" and "saddened". Marie says the vicar bombarded her with sexual demands and made love to her in a lay-by, in the back of his wife's car. She said: "He was always coming on to me on the way back from church meetings. He didn't seem to care if we were caught. I know it was wrong, I should never have got involved." She says she finally "saw the light" after two years and snapped. She forwarded an email to his wife Gill and lodged a formal complaint with the Church of England. Rev Kendall, who was ordained in 1985, has since resigned from his post. The church's website boasts: "We aim to provide you with a warm welcome." And the Rev Kendall was seemingly at pains to prove the motto true. Marie claims not to have not given it a second thought when the vicar told her that her beauty "blew him away". She only started to wonder after she received a "flirty" text which said she was beautiful. Marie adds: "Two weeks after that he said he'd never felt this way about anyone before - not even his wife. He told me he loved me." The next day Rev Kendall gave her a book called Scandalous Risks about a woman who is in love with a vicar. "We ended up kissing. And that was how our two-year affair began. I knew it was wrong and I felt terrible but I was attracted to him. I fell in love. "From then on he initiated everything. When he told me his marriage wasn't working, he'd take off his glasses and wipe his eyes. I felt bad just bringing it up." The vicar was soon a regular visitor. "He would park around the back of my house and pop in a couple of times a week. He always had an excuse. "When his wife was away he would bring a bottle of wine. It was nice having adult company." Alastair initiated their first lovemaking session at her home and asked her to join church committees so he could see more of her. Their tiny community was soon awash with rumour. "Everyone knew what was happening. People were asking if there was something going on between us. I had to lie. "So we used to go for weekends together. He called himself Bert so he wouldn't be caught out. "We went to country cottages and hotels all over the country. I was so nervous, I would crouch down in the car all the way there. "But he didn't seem to care. He used to say the chances of getting caught were slim." The relationship eventually ended when Marie began to fear her lover's ardour was cooling. Finally, wracked with guilt, she told him it was over. "I realised he was no different to any other man and I wanted him out of my life," she said. She burned his love letters and lodged a complaint with the Church Of England earlier this month, claiming the vicar had acted "inappropriately". As a result, Marie has been shunned by villagers. Even her own mother has ostracised her. Church authorities have confirmed that a complaint has been made and will be investigated under the Church Discipline Measure. The Venerable Geoffrey Sidaway, the Archdeacon of Gloucester, said: "Alastair Kendall remains a priest in the Church of England and as a priest he is subject to the Clergy Discipline Measure." In a statement, the Rev Kendall said: "I'm resigning for personal reasons and I'm looking for a change of direction. I won't be continuing paid employment with the church." The vicarage was deserted last night and the vicar unavailable for further comment. But his 23-year-old son Martin said: "It's all lies. I don't know her but I believe my dad. He is not in hiding, he has taken my mum away on holiday. She is very ill and has had a break-down. This news has really caused upset in my family." sarah.arnold@sundaymirror.co.uk
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