Ex-Celtic Boys Club coach's trial postponed until August

The trial of a man who allegedly indecently assaulted a teenager at Celtic Park and another at the club’s former training ground has been postponed.

Francis Cairney, 86, is said to have committed the crimes against the two boys between July 1978 and December 1988.

Cairney is also charged with indecently assaulting another teenage boy at a hotel room in Aviemore and in a car in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire on various occasions between August 1 1988 and June 30 1989.

Cairney, of Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, was due to go on trial next week.

But, at a hearing this week at Glasgow Sheriff Court the trial was adjourned until August.

A pre-trial hearing was also set for this month.

At another hearing last week, his lawyer Jim McParland revealed that Cairney is suffering from dementia.

Court papers state one of the boys, when aged between 15 and 16, was assaulted within a car in Paisley, Renfrewshire and in the dressing rooms at Barrowfield between July 1 1978 and June 30 1979.

The charge claims that the boy was repeatedly touched on the thigh by Cairney.

Cairney is further charged with repeatedly punching and slapping the same boy to his head and body at Barrowfield.

It is also alleged that Cairney assaulted the other boy when he was aged between 15 and 18 within the Barrowfield dressing rooms as well as Celtic Park between February 1,1986 and December 31, 1988.

It is claimed Cairney repeatedly hugged him, repeatedly placed his hands underneath his clothing and repeatedly touched his back, stomach, thigh, groin, buttocks and penis.

Cairney's bail was continued meantime.

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