BishopAccountability.org
	Family’s Backing for Accused Churchman By Liz Keen Echo October 16, 2009 http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/10/16/family-s-backing-for-accused-churchman-91466-24942647/ A PARISH priest has described a communion assistant accused of sexual assaults as “the people’s warden”. Michael Reeves, 69, denies nine charges of indecent assault dating back three decades. Yesterday at Cardiff Crown Court, family members joined church figures in their support for the pensioner. Reverend Christopher Burr told jurors the man he appointed as his close aide was trustworthy and loyal, had a solid marriage and was popular with the congregation at Pwllgwaun in Pontypridd. “He was already the people’s warden – elected by the congregation when I took over three churches at the north end of the town and has been re-elected annually since,” he said. He said he had not wanted Reeves – who lives with his second wife Christine in Conway Crescent, Tonteg – to stand down from his position when police arrested and charged him earlier this year. “The church has unfortunately had some high profile cases in recent years and there are always people who will say there is no smoke without fire and he resigned, because he didn’t want to bring discredit upon it,” he added. Mrs Reeves said the former career soldier had been a friend of her late husband and had moved in with her and her two teenage daughters when the girls were teenagers. One daughter, Joanne Phillips, told the jury: “I’m a teacher and a mother and I have no concerns about him. He is helpful, kind and honest.” Her sister, Nicola Griffiths, herself a mum and step-mum, told the court: “My father died when I was 10 and at the time my mother married Mick, all I wanted was my father back. “But I grew fond of him over the years – he’s been wonderful to us and our mother.” Prosecutor Ieuan Morris said none of the witnesses had known Reeves when he was a young man, when the offences are alleged to have taken place. At least one of them, it is claimed, took place in the works van he drove for Merlin Fireplaces at Pontypridd after leaving the army. The woman concerned says he pulled over into a lane while giving her a lift, telling her: “Come on – be a good girl.” In cross-examination, Reeves was asked: “You are hiding now behind outward respectability but deep down you have a dark secret to keep.” Reeves replied: “No that is not right. I was horrified when these allegations were made. It didn’t happen.” He denies nine charges of indecent assault.
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