*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

Barnabas director sentenced

27 February 2015

THE international director of Barnabas Aid International, Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, has been found guilty of sexual assault and intimidating two witnesses.

He was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court to a three-month community order for all three charges, to run concurrently. He has also been placed on a three-month curfew and ordered to pay £3500 prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £60.

The Board of Trustees of Barnabas Aid International issued a statement on Friday, saying that it was "saddened by the verdict on Monday. Whilst Patrick Sookhdeo would have been able to continue as a trustee of Barnabas Aid International, he has asked to resign from this post and the board has accepted his resignation. The board will review this with Dr Sookhdeo after three months. 

"During the next three months, he will be considering his future but has agreed to be available in his personal capacity if requested. His curfew prevents him from travelling overseas during this time, so he has had to decline to attend certain engagements. 

"The work of Barnabas Aid International in supporting the persecuted Church will continue."

In June, the board expressed its "full support" for Dr Sookhdeo, who denied the allegations. A statement said that the allegations had been "thoroughly investigated by an internal grievance procedure" that "did not uphold any of the allegations of sexual harrassment". He kept his post as full-time international director.

Barnabas Aid International was registered with the Charity Commission in February last year. It is part of the Barnabas Fund, of which Dr Sookhdeo was previously international director.

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Forthcoming Events

 

Festival of Preaching: Preaching Truth to Power

13 September 2025

Join us at London's Southwark Cathedral for this one-day event — a transformative gathering of bold voices, prophetic vision, and Spirit-led conviction..

tickets available

 

Finding inspiration in the Psalms : a Church Times one day festival

2 October 2025

Join us in York for this one-day event exploring the gift of the Psalms through poetry, art, liturgy and music.

tickets available

  

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)