A church minister whose charisma and "pop star" status earned him a fortune has been jailed for three and a half years for sex offences against two members of his congregation.
Pastor Douglas Goodman, 47, a larger than life figure who led an extravagant lifestyle, hung his head as the sentence was passed at London's Old Bailey court on Friday.
"You built the church up and you alone tore it down by your behaviour," Judge Gerald Gordon told the married father of four.
Prosecutor John Coffey said Goodman was a "master of seduction" who groomed women by showering them with cash and presents, including a Mercedes car.
He enjoyed "iconic" status at the evangelical Victory Christian Centre in north London, described in court as "one of the most powerful black churches in Western Europe".
He owned a mansion in central England, spent 21,000 pounds on a holiday to Hawaii and, after his arrest, bought a Ferrari sports car worth 100,000 pounds.
His services were beamed around the world on satellite television.
He was so respected that there was an appreciation day for him and his wife when they were crowned "king and queen". He employed a team of bodyguards.
Money poured in from television appearances, book sales and videos of his sermons. Many members of the congregation paid 10 per cent of their wages as a tithe.
Police said Goodman may now face charges relating to the suspected misappropriation of funds from his church, which turned over seven million pounds a year.
"Pastor Douglas and his family were icons," church elder Sinmidele Adedeji told the court. "They were like...pop stars."
It was all a far cry from his humble upbringing in south London. After convictions for burglary, Goodman went on to drive a bus before finding God and becoming a preacher.
Goodman was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 24-year-old member of his choir, trying to indecently assault a dancer, 25, and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Defence lawyer Courtney Griffiths had argued Goodman was the victim of a plot invented by enemies within the church after he spurned the advances of a member of the choir.
"There will be many thousands around the world who will be hugely disappointed by what has happened," Griffiths said.