This Is Bath
December 6, 2011
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/m-child-abuser-says-church-youth-worker/story-14054790-detail/story.html
 |
| Philip Barlow |
A SALTFORD man has told a jury that girls and women found him attractive – but that he was no child abuser.
Philip Barlow denied sexually assaulting a youngster when she was aged 12 to 14 but admitted that, to his shame, he had a secret fling with her after she turned 16.
Barlow, of Raleigh Road, Saltford, denies 19 sexual allegations against three girls over a six year period – including sexual assault, indecent assault and voyeurism.
One complainant told police Barlow sexually abused her for four or five months.
She claimed Barlow had started by flirting, then touched her sexually.
The complainant told police that she told Barlow what he was doing was wrong and it should stop.
Barlow agreed to stop, she said, but a fortnight later he started making comments to her, which included remarks about her body, and continued to abuse her.
Giving evidence in his defence at Bristol Crown Court yesterday, 29-year-old Barlow flatly denied the alleged abuse.
He said: "I did have and do have girls who fancy me. I don't mean that in an arrogant way. Teenage girls and women find me attractive."
Barlow broke down when he described how his son Charlie was diagnosed permanently disabled in December 2008, having been born with medical problems.
He said this caused him and his wife to "freak out" and he became a bad husband – simply earning money without putting more into his marriage.
Barlow told the court the complainant had shown him support and he had a fling with her, but she was aged over 16 when it happened.
He said: "She made it known, by her actions and being flirty, that she found me desirable.
"I formed a sexual relationship with her.
"It wasn't an affair, so to speak. It was lust.
"It was something I'm not proud of by any stretch of the imagination."
Barlow is a youth leader at Grace Bible Church in Keynsham, where his father is the pastor.
The case continues.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.