Man on trial charged with historic sex abuse of young boys

A man has gone on trial charged with historic sexual abuse of six young boys.

71 year old James Torbett faced the allegations during the first day of his trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Torbett, of the city's Kelvindale, faces a total of 12 charges spanning from January 1970 to August 1994.

Defence QC Tony Graham said Torbett pleads not guilty to the charges and lodged a special defence of alibi in relation to a charge alleged to have taken place between June 1985 and June 1986.

The boys mentioned are said to have been aged between four and 14 when Torbett is first accused of abusing them.

A number of locations are listed on the indictment including Barrowfield Football Ground in Glasgow's London Road.

Offences are said to have occurred at Torbett's home, dormitories in Belgium and France as well as training facilities in Glasgow's west end and Bristol, England.

Prosecutors also list “factory premises” known as The Trophy Centre in the city's Pollokshaws.

The trial before judge Tom Hughes continues.