Ex-councillor dismisses 'ridiculous' claims (From The Argus)

Ex-councillor dismisses 'ridiculous' claims

11:50am Thursday 2nd October 2008 in

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A former councillor accused of sexually assaulting a baby told a court the allegations against him were “ridiculous”.

Mark McCarthy, 37, denied he abused the boy, claiming he was “the most homophobic person out there”.

McCarthy, who has since quit as a Tory on Worthing Borough Council, took to the stand at his trial at Oxford Crown Court and claimed the case was a “waste of taxpayers’ money”.

He admitted having contact with the baby but he denied that it amounted to abuse. McCarthy told the jury he had asked a social worker’s friend about what he had done and realised it was inappropriate.

Defending him, Lauren Soertsz asked: “It gave you no sexual satisfaction?”

He replied: “No.”

McCarthy said his friends had told him: “You mustn’t do that – you can’t do that.” He said that he replied: “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Alan Blake, prosecuting, asked McCarthy if he thought kissing the baby’s bottom would have been considered inappropriate.

McCarthy replied: “Yes. I am the most homophobic person out there.”

Asked by Mr Blake if he thought his actions were inappropriate, he said: “Yes, they must be or I wouldn’t be in this witness box.”

McCarthy, of Offington Avenue, Worthing, admitted during the hearing that he was an alcoholic.

The case was adjourned until today.