Former Newcastle Anglican Dean Graeme Lawrence has strenuously denied any interaction with or knowledge of the man who has accused him of sexually assaulting him in 1991.
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Mr Lawrence was arrested on 14 November 2017 after police spent close to a year investigating the allegations.
During an interview with detectives that was played to Newcastle District Court on Tuesday, Mr Lawrence said the complainant and the allegations were "a mystery to me".
He described a claim that he had invited the then 15-year-old back to his house, known as the Deanery, next door to Christ Church Cathedral, and sexually assaulted him as "absolutely wrong."
Mr Lawrence, then the second-most senior Anglican in the Newcastle diocese, has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent and one of indecent assault.
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He agreed that he would have been at a diocesan youth service held at the cathedral at 7pm on August 24, 1991, however, he did not conduct the service.
He also said he had no connection with a youth band that played at the service.
"My role would have been to welcome and say farewell. I would have had coffee with the young people afterwards," he said.
The complainant, who cannot be identified, has alleged Mr Lawrence invited him to a group gathering at the Deanery following a youth service.
Upon arriving the man said he realised he and Lawrence were alone before Lawrence repeatedly sexually assaulted him.
Under questioning from his defence barrister Paul Winch on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Lawrence strongly denied the allegations.
"Did [the complainant] come to the Deanery?," Mr Winch asked.
"He never came to the Deanery, nor have I ever met him," Mr Lawrence replied.
Mr Lawrence also denied more specific details of the allegations regarding claims that he fondled the boy's penis and testicles or that he had sexual intercourse with him.
He also refuted a claim that he owned a collection of paintings depicting nude boys.
"There were none in 1991 and there are none in 2019 either," he said.
Mr Lawrence told the court that he and his partner relocated to a house in Lemnos Parade, The Hill, on April 30, 1991 so that earthquake repairs could be done to the Deanery and Cathedral.
His belongings and furniture were placed in storage, but he monitored the progress of repairs to the Deanery during the six month period.
Mr Lawrence will resume his evidence during the judge-only trial on Wednesday.