PRIEST STEPHEN BAILLIE FOUND GUILTY OF SEX ASSAULT IN CLARKSTON
An East Renfrewshire priest has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a man.Stephen Baillie was today convicted by a jury of sexually assaulting a male at St Joseph’s Church in Clarkston between June 27, 2024 and June 28, 2024, following a trial at Paisley Sheriff Court.
Baillie, of Saracen Street, Glasgow, sexually assaulted the man while he was “heavily intoxicated and unable to consent” by placing his hands within the man’s clothing, masturbate him, remove his clothing, and repeatedly place the man’s penis into his mouth, watch him shower, touch his buttocks and place his finger at the man’s anus.
The male told the jury: “I agreed to go across to the manse to call a taxi.
Stephen turned to open a bottle of port which I declined and asked for water which he got from the fridge.
The way I was feeling started to physically change.
My temperature went through the roof, I couldn’t regulate my temperature at all.
I said I needed air and he took me out the back door.
He put his hand down the front of my trousers and tried to masturbate me.
I recall coming to on a sofa and he was attempting to perform oral sex on me.
I stood up, I felt physically sick.
I was then sick while standing up, he kept saying, ‘I’m so sorry.’ He stripped me down and led me to a shower.
He was very insistent on drying me, he knocked his head against my genitals and attempted oral sex again.
I was sick for a second time.
He ran his hands a few times over my buttocks and placed his finger on my anus.
He caressed my back while I was on all fours next to the toilet.
I was sick a few times after showering.
He ran his hands a few times over my buttocks while I was being sick.
I was feeling broken, feeling a lack of energy.
The victim’s partner also gave evidence during the trial, she told the jury how the couple have been attending therapy as a result of the “traumatising” incident.
She also explained how the incident has caused intimacy issues between the pair.
Baillie denied the charge against him.
He has been a priest for 36 years covering churches in Greenock, Paisley, Clarkston and Eaglesham.
Defence agent Brian Fitzpatrick asked for background reports to be called for.
He told the court the 61-year-old has no previous convictions and asked for bail to be continued.
Sheriff Eoin McGinty adjourned sentencing for the preparation of reports and allowed Baillie’s bail to be continued to “allow him to put his affairs in order.” He was placed on the sex offender’s register and will return to court for sentencing next month.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Paisley said: “The Diocese of Paisley notes the conviction of Canon Stephen Baillie, a former priest of the Diocese, for the sexual assault of an adult man.
The offence was reported directly to Police Scotland by the complainer, and the Diocese was not approached prior to the police investigation.
As the complainer was not identified as a child or vulnerable adult, the case does not fall within the Church’s safeguarding procedures as defined under national safeguarding policy.
The Diocese nevertheless recognises that the conduct established in court represents behaviour incompatible with the standards expected of ordained ministry and commends the courage of those who came forward to report the matter and participate in what has been a long and painful process.
A canonical process, which was previously initiated pending the court’s decision, will now resume so the diocese can consider what action to take.
Following his conviction, he has been removed from his role as Parish Priest.
The diocese continues to work to foster a culture of care, through a shared commitment to creating and sustaining safe church environments.
We also renew our pledge to offer shelter, support, and compassion to anyone harmed by the Church and to walk with them on the path to healing.
