NOT GUILTY: Pastor Cleared Of Thumping 'First Lady' Wife

A pastor seen by neighbours exchanging blows with his wife during a late-night row has been cleared of assaulting her.

Carlington Lynch, 38, preaches at Clapham’s Healing Word Ministry, Church of Christ, where his wife Mel is a co-minister and is affectionately known as the First Lady.

He was found not guilty of assaulting her outside their home in Chobham Gardens, Wimbledon on November 25, last year.

Mel did not give evidence against her husband at Wimbledon Magistrates Court last Friday, which heard a neighbour called the police at 9.20pm when they saw the couple fighting.

The neighbour used his mobile phone to record the incident from his window and the prosecution alleged Lynch could be seen punching his wife more than once.

When officers arrived they immediately went to the Lynch’s home and their body-worn cameras recorded an exchange with Mel on her doorstep.

She told them: “Yeah, I’m fine. It is what it is.”

Refusing to give a statement against her husband Mel added: “Well, I did hit him. It goes both ways.”

The neighbour told the trial: “They were pushing and the female was saying: ‘Kill me, kill me.’

“It looked like he was defending himself.

“I knew these neighbours and I was shocked.

“I shouted: ‘Hey don’t punch the woman. I’ll call the police.’ 

“The woman was screaming and shouting and when they reached the door he punched the woman two or three times.”

When cross-examined the witness agreed Mel appeared to strike Lynch in the face with her handbag.

“She looks like she was about to hit him first and he defends.”