Aberdeen’s former depute lord provost is to stand trial accused of touching and kissing a man against his will.
Torry and Ferryhill councillor Alan Donnelly stood in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday following his arrest over the allegations, which date back to November 3 2018.
He was charged with sexually assaulting a man at the Seven Incorporated Trades on Holburn Street.
The Crown alleges that, on “various occasions” that day, the 64-year-old “did touch his face and hair, touch his body and kiss him on the face”.
Donnelly denies the charges, and appeared in court yesterday for an intermediate hearing ahead of a trial next month.
He stood in a white shirt and purple tie with a knee-length navy overcoat, as Sheriff Sukhwinder Gill was told that he was pleading not guilty to the alleged crime.
Donnelly’s solicitor Jennifer Pritchard said: “The police on their statement refer to a DVD of the interview but that has not been disclosed, and neither has the transcript.
“It has not yet been seen by Mr Donnelly.”
Mrs Pritchard asked for the footage to be made available ahead of the trial.
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At the hearing it was revealed that a total of seven witnesses are expected to be called to the stand to give evidence.
Fiscal depute Lucy Simpson said the Crown intends to question five civilian witnesses and one police officer about the allegations, while Miss Pritchard said the defence was also preparing to call one witness.
Donnelly, of Deemount Gardens, Aberdeen, resigned as depute lord provost in January after he was charged with the alleged sexual assault.
He has been suspended from the Conservative Party, but remains a member of its coalition with Aberdeen Labour and independent members on Aberdeen City Council.
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