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.