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.
