By Janice Burns
Glasgow Daily Record [Scotland]
May 7, 2007
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/news/tm_headline=priest--i-didn-t-touch-up-kids--&method=full&objectid=19057270&siteid=66633-name_page.html
The priest at the centre of the Angelika Kluk murder trial has been quizzed by police over claims he "touched up" young girls.
Three teenagers, aged 15 and 16, claim fallen Father Gerry Nugent, 63, sexually assaulted them in a park.
But the priest insisted last night: "I wasn't touching up any children in a park. You just have to ask around and people will tell you I amnot like that."
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A police investigation began after the girls complained he sexually assaulted them in Bellahouston Park, in Glasgow's south side, in March this year.
But so far, no charges have been brought against him.
Last week, serial sex beast Peter Tobin was jailed for life for Angelika's rape and murder.
The Polish student had been living in Father Nugent's church, St Patrick's, in Anderston, Glasgow, and her body was discovered under floorboards there.
During the trial, alcoholic Father Nugent claimed he had sex with 23-year-old Angelika.
And he later admitted a string of affairs with married parishioners - and even to taking prostitutes back to his chapel for sex.
Although he has resigned from his parish, Father Nugent remains a priest.
Yesterday, he told the Record: "There were complaints about me in a park. This is correct.
"I got my lawyer and we went down to the police station to answer some questions.
"My lawyer told me not to say a word about it but I can assure you I wasn't touching up any children in a park.
"I can put my hand on my heart, hand on the Bible and all the rest of it that this is not true about me. I don't know where these allegations are coming from.
"You just have to ask around and people will tell you I am not like that."
He continued: "I have made many mistakes but I have never done anything like that. I really couldn't say why anyone would say these things.
"I felt that I was always really good with children and people trusted me with them.
"I have to say I have never had any problem with children. I struggle with my sexuality, but children - not at all.
"I have a weakness for women and I have admitted that but it is a very different thing when someone accuses you of touching up children."
The priest added: "It is very distressing."
Father Nugent is alleged to have touched three girls inappropriately in the park on Saturday, March 24.
But they did not report the incident to the police until three days later - when photos of Father Nugent began appearing on national news in relation to the Angelika murder trial.
A close friend said: "Father Gerry has been accused of brushing up against three girls aged between 15 and 16 in broad daylight in Bellahouston Park.
"The girls didn't report it until they saw pictures of the priest on the telly at the start of the murder trial.
"Father Gerry hit the bottle again during and after the trial and when he was accused of being involved in Angelika's murder, it just got too much.
"What happened was Father Gerry was in Bellahouston Park that weekend and he was drunk.
"He was staggering about and bumped against the girls.
"They claimed he sexually assaulted them by brushing himself up against them.
"They obviously didn't think it was that serious or they would have reported it to the cops straight away. They waited three days. Police are still investigating the allegations but this is not a child sex beast or anything like that.
"It is unlikely the police will take it any further."
Father Nugent admitted he had become depressed and that he had thought about committing suicide.
He said: "To be honest, I am too big a coward to take my own life but I have thought about it.
"My position is that I let people down and, therefore, cut myself off because I think people probably won't want to speak to me again.
"At the moment, I don't see any future for me as a priest. I feel I should dissociate myself as a priest and step down.
"I don't want to be an embarrassment to the church or to people who have trusted me."
Another friend, Denis Curran, 63, who runs the Loaves and Fishes homeless charity, vowed he would "cut all ties" with Father Nugent if any allegations of underage sex were proved in court.
He became friends with the priest a year ago after he allowed the charity to use St Patrick's Church to feed the homeless in Glasgow's city centre.
He said: "Father Gerry had admitted having a weakness for women but he can be forgiven for that because, in our eyes, he is still a good guy.
"However, child sex allegations are a different ball game.
"If it is proved to be true, then that is horrendous and all ties would be severed with everyone who has supported.
"But my gut feeling is that he is not capable of such a thing. And until someone proves me wrong, I will continue to support him."
"However, child sex allegations are a different ball game.
"If it is proved to be true, then that is horrendous and all ties would be severed with everyone who has supported.
"But my gut feeling is that he is not capable of such a thing. And until someone proves me wrong, I will continue to support him."
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