BishopAccountability.org
	Jail Threat for Dodging Questions Priest Claims Student Was Besotted and Treated Him As Family By Gordon Mcilwraith Glasgow Daily Record [Scotland] May 5, 2007 http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/news/tm_headline=jail-threat-for-dodging-questions--&method= full&objectid=19048469&siteid=66633- name_page.html Father Gerry Nugent faces a jail sentence next week for contempt of court. As he gave evidence, the priest was repeatedly warned by judge Lord Menzies to give straight answers. But he continued to avoid questions posed by defence QC Donald Findlay and the judge's patience finally broke. Father Nugent was convicted of the offence during the trial - but that was kept secret from the jury and the media were banned from reporting it until the end of the trial. He was not detained in custody and is due to return to court next week. Last night, a legal expert said: "Contempt of court is treated very seriously by judges. It is only done after witnesses ignore warnings issued by a judge to tell the truth and stop hedging their answers. "In a recent high-profile murder case, a witness was sentenced to six months for contempt and what he did is arguably less serious than the priest's offence. "Lord Menzies will take into account Father Nugent's clean record and the good work he has done in the past. "Jail is still a possibility, although the judge might favour probation or community service." The priest's downfall happened during three separate phases of his evidence. First, he changed his story over a used condom which he allegedly found in Angelika's room. Father Nugent claimed to have shown it to Russian student Rebecca Dordi, then said he had only spoken to her about it before deciding that he couldn't remember at all. Second, when asked about how he knew where Angelika's body was found, the priest had variously said he didn't know, he couldn't remember and had read it in a newspaper. After that incident, Lord Menzies asked the jury to retire and then warned the priest. He told him: "I have to warn you for the final time that I am considering seriously finding you in contempt of court as a result of prevarication." The judge's patience finally snapped the following day when he was asked about his alleged sexual relationship with the Polish student. The priest claimed it had been mutual but then changed his mind, blaming his own "lustfulness and weakness". But when Mr Findlay pointed out the priest had originally told police that Angelika had started the relationship, Father Nugent backtracked and claimed that was the truth. The priest was found guilty of contempt when he finished his evidence.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.