Man to stand trial accused of indecent assaults at Celtic Park

A man is accused of indecently assaulting two teenagers at Celtic Park and the club's former Barrowfield training ground.

Francis Cairney, 85, 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.

Prosecutors claim a boy aged between 15 and 16 was earlier assaulted within a car in Paisley, Renfrewshire and in the dressing rooms at Barrowfield between July 1 1978 and June 30 1979.

The charge states 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 another boy 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, who did not attend court, pled not guilty to the charges through his defence advocate Mark Lutton at a hearing in Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Mr Lutton said: “The defence is not prepared for trial."

Prosecutor Claire Wallace stated that the Crown is ready for trial which is expected to last four days.

A further hearing was set for March by Sheriff Alan Mackenzie.

Cairney, of Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, had his bail continued meantime.

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