Ex Celtic youth coach Jim McCafferty pleads guilty to child sex charges

The 72-year-old changes plea at court in Belfast

Jim McCafferty - Belfast Crown Court
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 21st May 2018

By PA Reporter

A former Celtic youth coach and kit-man has pleaded guilty, at the Laganside courts in Belfast, to a series of child sex offences.

Jim McCafferty (72) was involved in football in Scotland and Ireland from the 1980s.

He was arrested in Belfast after walking into a PSNI station in December 2016.

McCafferty was charged with eight counts of engaging in sexual activity with the same child in Northern Ireland between December 2012 and December 2015.

He changed his plea to 'guilty' ahead of a scheduled trial at Belfast Crown Court.

Originally from Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, but more recently living in Raby Street in South Belfast, McCafferty was formerly a kit-man at Celtic, Hibernian and Falkirk.

The case was adjourned until June 22 for pre-sentence reports to be compiled.