Accused tells court comments were ‘banter’
The lead singer with the Red Pine Timber Company, accused of making inappropriate sexual comments to two women, claimed one was conducting a“vendetta” against him because of the success of the band.
Gavin Munro, of Seal’s Bank, Bridge of Earn, said the female had previously threatened she would “destroy him and the band”.
And the 50-year-old claimed the woman was pursuing a“sinister, malicious agenda”.
Munro also admitted that he was an alcoholic but contended that his alleged inappropriate comments were just “banter”.
He told his longrunning trial at Perth Sheriff Court:“Even with alcohol, I am lucid enough to know if I am crossing the line”.
He was replying to a suggestion from depute fiscal Tina Dickie that when he had been drinking he said “whatever sleazy thoughts”came into his head.
The accused admitted that he had discussions about sex toys with one of the women“on lots of occasions”.
He agreed with his lawyer David Holmes that he had made reference to the sex toys during what he described as “wind-ups”.
But he claimed it was like“one of the Carry On films”.
The court heard earlier that Munro claimed he had been given what he believed to be cocaine at a party in Bridge of Earn by a former fellow band member.
Munro has denied punching the same teenager on the head and body and pinning him against a car bonnet at a house in Bridge of Earn on November 16, 2014.
The accused revealed he had later turned to an organisation called Mindspace for help with alcoholism and“conflict resolution”after the party allegedly erupted in violence.
Munro also pled not guilty to making inappropriate sexual comments to the women at properties in Bridge of Earn between 2010 and 2014.
A further charge alleges that the band leader shouted and swore in the Green Room, Canal Crescent, Perth, on June 19 last year - and that he made threats of violence, gesticulated and brandished a stool.
The summing up from the defence will take place on September 21.
Sheriff Gillian Wade will then deliver her verdict.