United Kingdom-based controversial televangelist Gilbert Deya has been acquitted of rape and sexual assault charges.
The
London Crown Court comprising 12 jury members on Friday ruled there was
no evidence to support allegations that Mr Deya of the miracle babies
saga raped a woman identified as Sia Kellie and sexually assaulted her
daughter Gloria Richmond.
“There is no evidence that
Gilbert Deya raped or attempted to rape Sia Kellie between August and
September 2013. The jury returns a verdict of not guilty and the accused
is thus acquitted of all counts,” ruled the jury.
The
self-proclaimed archbishop of the Gilbert Deya Ministries was also freed
of allegations that he sexually assaulted Ms Kellie’s daughter by
indecently touching her.
I WAS FRAMED
When
contacted by the Nation, Mr Deya said he had been framed and that he
was happy the Inner London Crown Court had vindicated him.
“It
was so sad that I went through the trial. I knew the woman had
fabricated the story to frame me and police should have done better
investigations instead of arresting and charging me,” he said.
The
Kenyan preacher says his accusers only wanted his wealth. Ms Kellie
claimed she had has a relationship with him for over five years.
The
decision has saved the controversial preacher a 10-year jail sentence
and possible deportation to Kenya where he is facing charges of child
abduction.
Mr Deya was facing eight counts of rape, attempted rape, battery and sexual assault.
“She
brought to court a shirt she said Mr Deya wore on that night and which
she took and tore. But there is no proof the shirt belonged to Mr Deya.
It is also suspicious that she failed to report the incident immediately
and only took the shirt to police a month later,” said the jury.
NOT CREDIBLE
The
woman complained Mr Deya had assaulted her in his bedroom but the jury
ruled that it was not possible for her to access Mr Deya’s house since
it had an electronic key.
On allegations that Mr Deya
indecently touched Ms Richmond in his daughter Sara Deya’s washroom, the
jury ruled that the prosecution case was not credible.
“If
the girl was downstairs, there was a public washroom which she could
have used without going to Sara Deya’s room. Mr Deya therefore did not
see the girl and did not indecently touch her,” ruled the jury.
The
jury also found out that Ms Kellie lied about her age and that of her
daughter. She claimed she was 28 and her daughter 14 only to be
discovered that in fact she was 38 and her daughter 20.
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