The former deputy Lord Provost of Aberdeen has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a man.
Tory councillor Alan Donnelly was convicted of touching his victim’s face, hair and body and kissing him on the face.
The 65-year-old denied the charge against him, but was found guilty following a trial that began at Aberdeen Sheriff Court in August.
Sheriff Ian Wallace told the court he was “satisfied” that there was a “sexual motive” behind the veteran politician’s actions.
Speaking outside court, Donnelly – who was first elected to the council in 2007 – said he was “shocked and dismayed” by the verdict.
The trial previously heard from the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who said he was left feeling “sick” and “mentally disturbed” by the incident.
Donnelly told the man – who was working at an event in the city – “you’re too good looking to be working here”.
The man said Donnelly put his hands towards his hair, and the Ferryhill-based councillor then gave him his business card just minutes later.
The man said: “He asked me to contact him on his personal number.
“While he was giving the card to me he used that to his advantage by getting closer, approaching my face and kissing me on both cheeks.”
Donnelly took to the stand yesterday and said he had actually met the victim and handed him a business card the week after the assault, at another event at the same venue.
He also said the first he heard about the allegations was through a “ nuisance” phone call and an email, which he reported to police.
Donnelly said: “I had been down in the Borders over Christmas and New Year. I returned home to Ferryhill at January 3.
“I took what I would describe as a nuisance phone call. It was a male telling me he was going to make my life terrible and that I better watch out.
“I phoned the police because I was worried about it.
“I opened up my council emails and saw the headline ‘Alan Donnelly Sexual Harassment’. I opened the email at 11:50pm on January 3.”
During cross examination, fiscal depute Lynne McVicar asked Donnelly if the man was mistaken about the touching and kissing. He said yes.
Sheriff Ian Wallace said prosecutors had made a compelling case, with the testimony of their witnesses proving vital.
He said: “I have heard all of the evidence from the Crown and on your behalf from Mr Sutherland and I am satisfied of your guilt.
“The Crown evidence was clear and their witnesses were reliable. They are clear about the events of November 3.
“The procurator fiscal depute is correct in highlighting that one of the witnesses said he was 100% sure he saw you kissing this man on the face.
“You gave evidence to this court which is untrue.
“The nature of your conduct was sexual and you even gave the victim the business card asking him to call you.
“It easy to conclude that what was happening was a sexual advance. You were a guest at an event and the victim was left feeling uncomfortable while he was working. He was also angry and trembling.”
Sheriff Wallace deferred sentence on Donnelly for a social work criminal justice report and put him on the sex offenders register.
He will return to the dock next month for sentencing.
Speaking outside court, Donnelly said he was shocked by the verdict, but would not be drawn on his political future.
He said: “I am shocked and dismayed. This has been dragged out over eight court appearances. I can’t believe it.”
A spokesman for Aberdeen City Council said: “We are aware of the outcome of the court proceedings and note the verdict.
“It would not be appropriate to comment further.”
But the council’s Liberal Democrat group called on Donnelly to resign immediately.
Group leader Ian Yuill said: “Alan Donnelly’s conviction for sexual assault makes his continued membership of Aberdeen City Council completely inappropriate and unacceptable. We have called on him to resign as a councillor immediately.
“The Liberal Democrats have also urged the other political groups on the council to join us in calling on Councillor Donnelly to resign.”
Councillor Yuill confirmed that he has also reported the 65-year-old to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
