Priest on trial over rape allegation 18/6/14

A priest, originally from the Western Isles, is on trial accused of sexually abusing two children when he was a teenager.

It is alleged Father John Angus MacDonald raped a young girl on various occasions over a number of years.

The 69-year-old, who denies the charges, is also accused of indecent behaviour towards a young boy.

Now in his 60s, the man told the jury that MacDonald would fondle him.

The trial at the High Court sitting in Aberdeen heard the alleged incidents took place in the Western Isles when MacDonald was in his very early teens.

It was claimed the alleged abuse happened in the 1950s and 60s - initially before Macdonald was 13 when he went to study for the priesthood at Blairs College outside Aberdeen. It also happened when he was a young teenager on vacation from the college, it is alleged.

As an adult, MacDonald was a priest at Daliburgh. He also taught at Blairs and later worked in Fort William.

MacDonald of of Ard Tullaich. Ardeionaig, Killin, Perthshire, denies the charges.

The trial in front of Judge Morris continues on Wednesday.