A vicar has admitted to sexually assaulting a woman and has been suspended from the church.
Revd Bob Weldon pleaded guilty after appearing in court this week accused of committing the offence in Folkestone.
The 68-year-old formerly worked at Holy Trinity in the town, but was suspended by the Diocese of Canterbury in December when he was arrested.
He appeared before Folkestone Magistrates Court yesterday and admitted one count of sexual assault on a woman over 16 in connection with the incident on October 30.
A spokesman for the diocese said at the time of his arrest: “In response to an arrest, the Revd Bob Weldon has been suspended until further notice.
“He will therefore not be exercising any form of public ministry.
“The act of suspension is a normal procedure when anyone is arrested pending an ongoing investigation.
“If this suspension raises concerns for anyone, they should contact our Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, Paul Brightwell, whose details can be found at www.canterburydiocese.org/safeguarding
“The Diocese of Canterbury has robust safeguarding measures in place.
“We have a duty of care and responsibility, which is an extremely serious trust, and one of our most important concerns.”
On December 15, a statement from the Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson Wilkins, was read out to the benefice, KentOnline understands.
It reportedly told parishioners that Weldon had been removed, and a “safeguarding issue” was mentioned.
The vicar is set to be sentenced on September 2.
