Charge against Destiny leaders' son dropped

A sexual assault charge against the son of two former Destiny Church leaders has been dropped by police due to insufficient evidence.

Joshua Edmonds, 29, had been charged with indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl in foster care.

The charge was withdrawn yesterday in New Plymouth District Court, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

Outside court, police prosecutions manager Senior Sergeant Malcolm Greig said the charge was dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Police also needed to take into account the 13-year-old's well-being, which may be affected by giving evidence, Mr Greig said.

Mr Edmonds' parents, Robyn and Lee Edmonds, resigned as the leaders of Destiny's New Plymouth church in March after a series of allegations about them and the church.

Mrs Edmonds yesterday said a media campaign targeting the church had led to her son's arrest and caused the family to lose everything.

- NZPA