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A South Uist man says the two people making serious sexual allegations against him are delusional and, in their own minds, “believe they are telling the truth.”

John Angus Macdonald is is on trial over the alleged rape of a nine-year-old girl.

He also a charge of carrying out lewd and indecent practices on a young boy. A third accusation of repeated rape against the girl has been dropped.

The alleged incidents hail back to the 1950s and 60s when MacDonald, now of Ardeonaig, near Stirling - would have been a young teenager.

 

Taking the stand at the High Court in Aberdeen, Macdonald said he believed that his accusers “believe that they are telling the truth.”

 

He added: “This story started a long time ago and has taken a life of its own.”

“I know in my own heart I am telling the truth.”

Judge Morris asked if when the male accuser gave his “statement under oath you believe he believed he was telling the truth.”

“Yes”, replied MacDonald, “that is the only conclusion I can come to.”

“You could conclude he was lying,” responded the judge.

Defence QC Mark Stewart said to Macdonald it was being suggested he was more “likely to be a liar” than his accusers.

That is “not right,” said Macdonald.

The QC pointed out the woman “said you raped her.”

Macdonald  denied her allegation.

The QC added: “She can either be delusional or a positive liar,” by telling falsehoods.

Macdonald replied: “Yes. I believe she is delusional.”

He said he thought his male accuser was also affected the same way.

His lawyer stressed: “This isn’t about being nice.”

He asked Macdonald it  was a more “political answer” to say his accuser was delusional rather than call him a liar.

Macdonald said: “I have always denied it and told him to go to the police.”

 

 

 

 

Accused says alleged victims “believe they are telling the truth”     22/6/14

Judge Morris is presiding over the trial at Aberdeen High Court