Clergyman on sex charge

A former Auckland Methodist minister has been charged with a sex offence against a teenager.

Kenneth Smith appeared in Rotorua District Court yesterday accused of indecently assaulting the 17-year-old youth at a motel on January 10.

He was remanded on bail to Christchurch District Court on January 26 after intimating that he would plead guilty to the offence.

He was a minister at Waitakere and Auckland Synod superintendent before moving to Christchurch.