Ont. minister accused of sexually exploiting teen girl
Vincent Ball, QMI Agency
First posted: Sunday, August 31, 2014 05:54 PM EDT | Updated: Sunday, August 31, 2014 06:04 PM EDT
BRANTFORD, Ont. — A prominent minister and candidate in the upcoming municipal election is accused of having a 17-year-old girl send him naked pictures of herself.
Police said Rev. Barry Pridham, 64, was arrested Sunday morning after officers executed two search warrants — at his residence and at his office at a local church.
He’s charged with sexual exploitation, child luring and possession of child pornography.
Pridham is in custody while awaiting a bail hearing.
Police in this southern Ontario city received a tip Saturday that a 17-year-old girl had received sexually explicit text messages from a close family friend. The close family friend, police allege, is the minister at the girl’s church.
Police said further investigation revealed the suspect had the girl send him naked pictures of herself via text and e-mail, and had asked her to touch herself in a sexual manner.
The girl’s mother allegedly found the messages and contacted police.
Pridham has been a minister at Sydenham Street United Church for more than two decades and recently filed his nomination papers to run as a candidate for Brantford Ward 3 in the municipal election.
Rev. Barry Pridham, of Sydenham Street United Church, is running for election in Brantford Ward 3 this fall. (QMI Agency File Photo)
Ont. minister accused of sexually exploiting teen girl | Ontario | News | Toront
Vincent Ball, QMI Agency
First posted: Sunday, August 31, 2014 05:54 PM EDT | Updated: Sunday, August 31, 2014 06:04 PM EDT
BRANTFORD, Ont. — A prominent minister and candidate in the upcoming municipal election is accused of having a 17-year-old girl send him naked pictures of herself.
Police said Rev. Barry Pridham, 64, was arrested Sunday morning after officers executed two search warrants — at his residence and at his office at a local church.
He’s charged with sexual exploitation, child luring and possession of child pornography.
Pridham is in custody while awaiting a bail hearing.
Police in this southern Ontario city received a tip Saturday that a 17-year-old girl had received sexually explicit text messages from a close family friend. The close family friend, police allege, is the minister at the girl’s church.
Police said further investigation revealed the suspect had the girl send him naked pictures of herself via text and e-mail, and had asked her to touch herself in a sexual manner.
The girl’s mother allegedly found the messages and contacted police.
Pridham has been a minister at Sydenham Street United Church for more than two decades and recently filed his nomination papers to run as a candidate for Brantford Ward 3 in the municipal election.
Rev. Barry Pridham, of Sydenham Street United Church, is running for election in Brantford Ward 3 this fall. (QMI Agency File Photo)
Ont. minister accused of sexually exploiting teen girl | Ontario | News | Toront
