Preacher sex trial jury sent home

Mr Goodman denies 13 sex charges

A jury deciding whether a church pastor 'groomed' vulnerable members of his congregation for sex has been sent home for the evening.

Douglas Goodman, 46, of Turnberry Lane, Collingtree, Northampton, denies raping one woman and indecently assaulting four others between 1997 and 2002.

At the time he was head of the Victory Christian Centre, an evangelical church in north London.

The prosecution alleged he had groomed young and vulnerable women in the congregation by buying them presents before sexually abusing them.

Mr Goodman denies 14 charges against him, including one of perverting the course of justice.

The trial heard he had admitted having an affair with a 32-year-old member of the congregation.

But Courtenay Griffiths QC, defending, told jurors his client was not on trial for his morals.

The jury will resume its deliberations on Thursday morning.