BBC News [United Kingdom]
May 3, 2007
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bristol/somerset/6619733.stm
The jury in the trial of a parish priest accused of sexually abusing a string of boys over nearly 30 years has retired to consider their verdicts.
The Rev David Smith, 52, of St John's Road, Clevedon, Somerset, allegedly groomed and then molested a succession of vulnerable youngsters in his care.
Mr Smith denies 12 charges allegedly committed against six boys aged under 16 between 1976 and 2005.
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| Rev Smith denies all the charges |
Two indecency charges were dropped for legal reasons.
Mr Smith is accused of 10 charges of indecent assault, one sexual assault on a child under 13, and one of sexual activity with a child under 16.
He has been suspended from his role as vicar of St John the Evangelist in Clevedon pending the outcome of the case.
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