Man accused of historic offence against teenager at Celtic Park 'unlikely' to stand trial

A man who allegedly indecently assaulted a teenager at Celtic Park and another at the club’s former training ground is "unlikely" to stand trial, a hearing was told today.

Francis Cairney, 87, is said to have committed the crimes against the two boys between July 1978 and December 1988.

Cairney, of Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, is set to go on trial in August and had his attendance excused at today's pre-trial hearing.

But, prosecutor Carrie Stevens told the hearing that the trial date was “not realistic” as the defence are awaiting reports on Cairney’s health.

Patricia Bailey, defending, earlier made a motion for a continued hearing in preparation of the reports to see if Cairney - who suffers from dementia - is fit to stand trial.

This was refused by Sheriff Gerard Considine who claimed that new guidance states that the original date should remain and if reports say he cannot stand the matter would "change to examination of facts" without Cairney in the dock.

Ms Stevens said: “There is no difficulty but can I take the opportunity to ask the instructing solicitor to keep the Crown up to date... it’s been rumbling on with very little progress.

“The trial is fixed for August and I have a witness in China who were are keeping in contact with and we can’t make progress without a report from the defence.

"The witness will be in Ireland until a week after the trial date so the preference is to keep the trial date fixed but I think it is unlikely that the trial will proceed."

Ms Stevens stated that short term travel arrangements for the witness would be made if an examination of facts were to go ahead.

Court papers claim one boy, 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.

It goes on to state that 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 second 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 is also charged with indecently assaulting a third 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's bail was continued meantime by Sheriff Considine.

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