Hours after his conviction for sexual assault on Wednesday, Rev. Trevor Woolridge was standing before a congregation at a Mount Zion AME Church revival, The Royal Gazette has learned.

And while he did not address the revival -- that was left to an invited speaker -- Rev. Woolridge asked for, and obtained, some time to speak to the church members.

Details of his address were not confirmed last night, but it is understood that he spoke about his own feelings about the verdict and what it meant for his future as a leader in the church.

Meanwhile, deputy PLP leader Eugene Cox held an emergency meeting of the party's central committee, branch chairmen and caucus to discuss issues in light of Rev. Woolridge's conviction.

When contacted he said: "We have had a meeting and we have discussed the matter internally but the contents of our discussions are not for public consumption at this time.'' The PLP meeting was a response to the sexual assault conviction of erstwhile AME pastor Rev. Trevor Woolridge.

Acting Magistrate Michael Smith deliberated for three hours before returning the guilty verdict.

Rev. Woolridge will be sentenced on Monday morning for the offence which carries a maximum of five years in prison.

Attorney General Elliott Mottley refused to comment when asked to explain why -- in light of Rev. Woolridge's conviction -- his chambers had originally decided against proceeding with the matter.

Last February Mr. Mottley advised that no action was to be taken against Rev.

Woolridge.

The Bermuda Police service had investigated the matter and placed the file before the Attorney General's office.

But last night when asked to explain the reasons behind the move he said: "I don't think that it is proper for me to make a comment at this time. We still don't know whether Mr. Woolridge is going to appeal or anything like that so I don't want to make any comment at this stage.'' Rev. Woolridge's lawyer Marc Telemaque refused to say whether he had received instructions to launch an appeal.

On Wednesday, Rev. Woolridge was found guilty of exposing himself to a female parishioner and grabbing her breasts.

Acting Magistrate Michael Smith said that he accepted both lawyers' submissions that credibility was the premier issue in the case.

Moreover, he said that on the complainants' version of the facts, Rev.

Woolridge exposed himself to her and put his hands on her breasts.

Conversely, he said that Rev. Woolridge testified that this never occurred because he went to the woman's home to deliver a grocery voucher and promptly left.

Mr. Smith said that Rev. Woolridge's evasiveness during the cross examination tainted his own credibility.

The complainant who cannot be named for legal reasons, alleged the sexual assault occurred during a visit Rev. Woolridge made to her home on September 20, 1996.

The life and times of Rev. Woolridge (See Page 2) POLITICS PTL