Edinburgh priest convicted of sexual assault

A priest in Edinburgh has been convicted with sexual assault following an incident on Christmas Day, 2020.

Fr Martins Enegbuma, originally of the Diocese of Auchi, Nigeria, touched and kissed a young woman unwantedly after she, her mother, and another relative visited him to bring food on Christmas Day at the parish house beside Our Lady, Mother of the Church in the city’s Currie area.

The Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh has apologised to the victim for coming forward and praised her courage.

At the Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday Sheriff Adrian Fraser said that he found the victim and her mother’s statements ‘reliable and credible’, stating that he was satisfied that no consent was given and there was ‘no reasonable doubt’ that Fr Enegbuma had carried out the assault.

Fr Enegbuma, having been found guilty of the charge, has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register and will be sentenced next month.

The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh released said they had immediately reported the allegation when it was raised.

“When the allegation against Fr Enegbuma was brought to the attention of the Archdiocese in March 2021, he was immediately removed from active ministry in line with safeguarding procedures,” they said in a statement.

“The Archdiocese has cooperated fully with the Police Scotland investigation. It will now be for the court to determine a sentence, following which Fr Enegbuma will face a canonical investigation. The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh offers a profound apology to the person who was subject to this assault and commends their courage in reporting it.”

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