Former Priest Sentenced for Sexual Assault on Train

A priest received a 16-month prison sentence after sexually assaulting a man who was asleep on a train. Daniel Doherty, who previously served as a priest at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Falkirk, was observed placing his hands inside the man’s trousers. The 61-year-old Doherty asserted he was “affirming” the victim, who had lost consciousness due to alcohol consumption, after passengers on the Edinburgh Waverley service apprehended him. He pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court. Witnesses on the train observed Doherty touching the victim, subsequently alerting police and railway personnel, and then relocating to another carriage. Upon the arrival of train managers, who questioned him, Doherty stated that he and his victim “were just friends.” However, during their discussion, staff observed that his trouser button was unfastened and his trouser zip was partially open. Officers from the British Transport Police met Doherty and the victim as they disembarked the train. Initially, the man did not inform officers that Doherty had touched him, given the priest’s proximity. Nevertheless, in a police report filed two days subsequent, he disclosed that he had awakened “several times” during the assault. Procurator fiscal Helen Nisbet commented: “Daniel Doherty committed these serious sexual offences while holding a position of trust within his community.” She added: “His predatory behaviour was brought to light thanks to the courage of the victim coming forward and reporting it to the authorities.” Doherty resigned from the priesthood after these allegations emerged. The Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh extended a “profound apology” to the victim. Additionally, Doherty was added to the sex offenders’ register for a period of 10 years.