Christian Aid Group Barnabas Aid's Founder Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Staff Member
Patrick Sookhdeo, the founder and international director of Christian aid group Barnabas Aid International, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a female staff member in an incident that occurred in February 2014.
BBC News reported that 67-year-old Sookhdeo was also found guilty by the Swindon Crown Court's jury in the U.K. of intimidating two employees that were expected to give evidence against him.
He has been ordered to serve a three-month community order for all three charges; has been placed on a three-month curfew, and ordered to pay close to $5,400 in prosecution costs.
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The sexual assault reportedly took place at the St Barnabas Trust's offices in the U.K. in February 2014, when Sookhdeo called the woman into his office for a meeting and placed his hand on her thigh. He then proceeded to make lewd comments and touch the woman inappropriately, which according to the victim, left her "stunned and shocked."
The Barnabas Aid's Founder has denied all charges.
The charity's board members conducted an internal investigation into the matter before trial, but found insufficient evidence to support the allegations made by the staff member.
Julian Dobbs, a board member of the American branch of the Christian charity and a bishop with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, told World Magazine that Barnabas Aid is "larger than one person and is strong and secure."
Dobbs added that Sookhdeo does not plan to appeal the jury's decision. Board members are expected to meet to discuss the founder's future.
Beside founding Barnabas Aid, Sookhdeo has written dozens of books and articles about the danger of Islamic extremism and about Christian persecution. He also founded the Institute for the Study of Islam and Christianity.
Barnabas Fund explains on its website that its main ministry is to "send financial support to projects which help Christians where they suffer discrimination, oppression and persecution as a consequence of their faith."
It adds that what distinguishes it from other Christian persecution organizations is that it directs its aid only to Christians, though it says the benefits "may not be exclusive to them." The group says that it works by "channeling money from Christians through Christians to Christians," and that the majority of the aid goes to Christians living in Muslim environments.
