Pastor Felix Manzanares, who was director of youth ministries at the Church of God Chapel, Walkers Road, George Town, is on trial for one count of indecent assault against one of his church members.

Manzanares appeared in Grand Court last Monday (16) where he heard his accuser tell the court she knew Manzanares well through the church. She played and sang in the worship band and the young pastor had pestered her to come to her house to talk on the day he committed the offence, December 19^th 2011.

The woman said Manzanares made unwelcome sexual advances in her home in West Bay, which she had rebutted. She accused him of trying to rape her when he kissed and fondled her breasts and inner thighs. She said it was not until the arrival of another friend at the house that the unwelcome sexual advances stopped.

She told the court she had declined several invitations from him for lunch and dinner earlier that day telling him she was busy with other plans. She told him she had to visit her parents after work before going to dinner with another friend and they would have to arrange some other time to meet.

However, when she arrived at her parents’ home that same evening Manzanares was there waiting for her. He pressed her to let him come to her house to talk for a few minutes. Because he lived in Bodden Town and had travelled a long way to see her she assented. She said he had been there before.

As soon as he got inside the house, she said he started making the unwelcome advances until her male friend arrived.

Manzanares, who is married, has denied the charge and claims any advances he made were welcomed.

The trial, presided over by Justice Alex Henderson, before a jury of four women and three men continues.