Former Celtic youth coach jailed for child sex abuse

Former Celtic youth club coach and kit man Jim McCafferty has pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse offences.

The 72 year-old admitted 12 charges spanning 26 years at the High Court in Edinburgh.

They related to boys ages between 13 and 19 who played with North Lanarkshire and Celtic Boys Club between 1972 and 1996.

He has been sentenced to six year and nine months behind bars.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor, Police Scotland said: “Between 1972 and 1996 James McCafferty sexually abused boys aged between 13 and 19, under the guise of football.

"These boys had a passion for the game, they had dreams and hopes. Rather than provide a place of safety for them to fulfil these dreams, he used football to prey upon them.

"The trust and respect they showed him was repaid by a complete and utter abuse of power. McCafferty exploited his position to satisfy his own sexual depravity.

"James McCafferty has blighted the lives of so many people, both his victims and their families. As boys, his victims lived in fear but as adults they stood united, finding the courage and strength to speak out. They were listened to and without their testimony we would not be here today witnessing McCafferty’s long awaited admissions of guilt.

"I would like to pay my own personal gratitude to these men. The damage that McCafferty inflicted will never be forgotten, however, today hopefully starts the process of trying to resolve the past.

"The scale of his abuse is unprecedented, and demonstrates the systematic and calculated methods he used to target his victims. Whether as a respected coach or an affable kitman, he used every opportunity available to perpetrate his callous abuse.

"While this investigation is concluded, we are aware that there may be people who have not felt able to report. I would urge you to do so. It does not matter when or where the abuse occurred, or who committed that abuse. We will listen and we will investigate.

"The sexual abuse of children is still happening across our communities and in a range of different settings. It is up to all of us to make sure that children across Scotland can follow their interests and hobbies without fear and free from the threat of harm."