A former footballer has claimed he went with Tommy Sheridan to an "unusual" club that had porn showing on televisions.
Gary Clark claimed he made the visit to Manchester around two weeks after his wife left him in September 2002. The 46-year-old said he and Mr Sheridan - who was his school friend - were joined by others including Katrine Trolle, who earlier alleged she went to a sex club in the city with the men.
Mr Clark told a jury at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday he was that ashamed of being there he did not tell a lawyer when quizzed last year. Mr Clark - who played for Falkirk and Hamilton amongst other clubs - told how he got to know Mr Sheridan when they were growing up in the city's Pollok.
They lost touch after leaving school, but Mr Clark got back in contact while Mr Sheridan was in jail for "defending his principles". The pair renewed their friendship and socialised with their wives and other friends including SSP members Keith Baldassara and George McNeilage.
Mr Clark told the court how his wife left him on his birthday on September 13, 2002. Prosecutor Alex Prentice asked: "How did you behave?" He replied: "I turned to alcohol. I was particularly depressed. I was going through a low time in my life, but there you go."
Mr Prentice then asked had he ever met Katrine Trolle. Mr Clark said this was around a couple weeks after his wife left. Mr Prentice: "How did you meet her?" Mr Clark: "I don't remember the exact meeting point or time. I remember being in a car with her. That was my car."
The ex-footballer said he was joined by Mr Sheridan, Andy McFarlane and Anvar Khan - a journalist who claimed she went to a swingers club with a MSP. Mr Clark said Mr Sheridan was behind the wheel in what was a "fairly long" journey.
Mr Prentice: "Where did you go?" Mr Clark: "Manchester - I remember seeing the signs." The prosecutor went on: "Where did you end up?" The witness: "Went to a club. I did not know what it was called at the time. I can recall arriving there, walking up the stairs and going in."
Mr Prentice then asked: "Did you know that it was a club?" He replied: "Once we were in. It was a wee bit more unusual than any other club I had been in before. There was pornography on the TVs around the club."
Mr Prentice also asked: "Recall anything unusual about the club?" Mr Clark: "It was not showing Tom and Jerry on the TVs." Ex-MSP Mr Sheridan and his wife Gail are on trial accused of lying under oath during his libel case against the News of the World in 2006.
Mr Sheridan won £200,000 in damages after the Sunday tabloid printed allegations about his private life. The Sheridans - both 46 - deny the perjury charge.
Mr Sheridan also denies that he asked SSP colleague Colin Fox to lie for him during the case against the News of the World. The trial, before Judge Lord Bracadale, continues.
