A Catholic priest has denied he sexually assaulted a teenager after drinking too many Martinis at a James Bond-themed cocktail party.
Father Christopher Heenan was questioned by police following a complaint about his alleged behaviour against a 17-year-old man during a get-together at a property in Dunfermline.
Heenan told police he was attracted to – and had been flirting with – his alleged victim.
He accepted he may have touched the teenager on his shoulder and leg.
However, the 52-year-old insisted it was not for his sexual gratification but said it was “a kind of affection-type thing”.
Too many fancy cocktails
Heenan, of Pelstream Avenue, Stirling, is on trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, accused of sexually assaulting the teenager by repeatedly stroking him on the body.
Prosecutors say the alleged offence happened sometime between August 1 2019, and August 26 the following year.
During a police interview in May 2021, Heenan – who was the parish priest at St Margaret’s RC Church in Dunfermline at the time – described himself as “touchy,” adding: “Not with everybody but especially when I’ve had a drink.”
He said he regularly attended parties and believed the allegation may have stemmed from a drunken James Bond-themed gathering.
Heenan told investigators he was helped home from the event by others after having too much to drink.
“It was all these fancy cocktails,” he said.
“Whatever James Bond drinks – I had too many vodka Martinis.”
Asked if he had touched the complainer on the thigh, he told Detective Sergeant Kelly McCormack: “I might have done but I really can’t remember.”
He said he thought the alleged victim was a “nice looking guy” and admitted he was attracted to him.
“But I’m a fat 50-year-old,” he said.
Complainer was ‘distant’
Heenan said he never got the impression the complainer was uncomfortable but added: “He has been kind of distant.”
During the police interview, Heenan told officers he was gay.
“I’ve been really struggling the last few years,” he said.
“I’ve been applying for other jobs and got offered one but stupidly I didn’t take it.
“It’s just the regime we’re living under.
“The guys above us. The game’s a bogey now, so maybe you’ve done me a favour.”
The alleged victim – who cannot be named for legal reasons – earlier told the trial how Heenan repeatedly touched his leg as they sat next to each other.
The man, now 20, told the court: “I wouldn’t say he was a bad person but his actions resembled that of a bad person – that’s the best way I can describe it.”
The trial, before Sheriff James MacDonald, was adjourned until January 12.
