Actor charged with sexual assault 'fears for his career'

Scottish actor Kevin Guthrie told a jury that he fears for his career after being accused of sexually assaulting an actress.

Guthrie denied attacking the 29-year-old as he gave evidence at his trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday.

The 33-year-old instead insisted he had “helped” the woman, who appeared unwell at the flat of Still Game star Scott Reid.

Guthrie is accused of sexual assault at the property in Kelvindale in the city’s West End on September 30 or October 1, 2017.

Jurors heard how the woman had been due to meet Guthrie and Reid at a bar on the night of the alleged attack. She knew both from drama school.

But Reid received a call from a taxi driver to collect her as she appeared ill.

He and Guthrie went on to help the woman into the flat and put her on a bed.

The trial heard how Reid called NHS 24 leaving Guthrie in the room “to make sure she was okay”.

The woman alleges it was there she was attacked by Guthrie.

Guthrie refuted the accusations, agreeing with his QC Gordon Jackson that it had instead been a “panic situation” due to the woman’s condition.

He told the trial there was a time he was alone with her.

The actor said: “She looked to be hanging over the bed to be sick into a bag or basin.

“She was in bed in such a way I was concerned she would fall.

“I went to reassure her and helped her back into bed so she was safe and comfortable.

“As I heard sounds of wrenching, I didn’t want her vomiting on her back so I put her in the recovery position.”

Mr Jackson asked about consequences of sexual assault allegations on his career.

He said: “My own impression is it can be fatal. For most employers at this point in time it would render you unemployable.”

The QC then suggested if Guthrie’s career could die, and he said: “Yes.”

Mr Jackson said: “She said you did it, are you clear you did not?”

Guthrie replied: “I categorically did not do this, I did not carry out the alleged assaults.”

Jurors were told by a forensic scientist that Guthrie’s DNA was found on the inside of the woman’s underwear.

Prosecutor Harry Findlay asked Guthrie to explain why this was.

He said: “I can’t for the life of me explain in any rational sense how that happened.

“It’s my understanding that having had contact with her hands or her torso or body, she would have moved during the night and there would have been secondary transfer of DNA.”

The trial continues before Sheriff Tom Hughes.