EX-CELTS COACH ‘TO ADMIT SEX CHARGES’
Lucans in tribute to late mum But court is told of concern over his mental health
TRAGIC Lady Lucan’s estranged family called her “unforgettable” yesterday as they mourned her death at the age of 80.
Veronica, whose playboy husband Lord Lucan vanished after their nanny Sandra Rivett was battered to death in 1974, had cut off contact with her family in the 1980s.
Sandra was widely believed to have been mistakenly killed, with Veronica the intended target of the murderous attack.
Veronica remained estranged from her children, George, Frances and Camilla, and sisters right up to her death at her home in central London this week.
She was found dead by police on Tuesday after a friend reported she had not been seen for several days.
The family said: “Veronica’s children and her sisters are deeply saddened by her death.
“Although she severed relations in the 1980s, and continued to decline contact with them … all of them remember her lovingly and with admiration.
“She was, in her day, beautiful and throughout her life fragile and vulnerable, struggling as she did with mental infirmity. To us she was and is unforgettable.”
Veronica’s son, who inherited the title of Earl Lucan, said: “She passed away at home, alone and apparently peacefully.”
The death is not believed to be suspicious. FORMER Celtic youth coach Jim McCafferty will admit at least two of eight child sex charges against him – if doctors rule he is fit to plead.
Belfast Crown Court was told yesterday there were “real concerns” about the 71-year-old Scot’s mental capacity. A psychiatrist’s report called for him to be examined by other specialists.
Before the case was adjourned for the fifth time in 85 days, McCafferty’s barrister Patrick Taylor indicated he would plead guilty to the first two offences on the charge sheet.
But the QC told Judge David McFarland the outcome of further medical examinations could have a bearing on admissions McCafferty allegedly made, his ability to register information and order his thoughts.
Reports are to be requested from a pharmacologist about sedation doses, and from a neuropsychologist.
Prosecution QC David Russell said that having read the existing report on McCafferty, a remand prisoner in Maghaberry Jail, he felt there were real concerns over his cognitive abilities.
Russell said that the Crown would need to engage their own medical expert to compile reports on him. He added: “So I can see a real issue about the arraignment taking place.”
Judge McFarland agreed to adjourn the case until November 8.
Former Celtic kit man and youth scout McCafferty was brought to the court from prison yesterday but did not appear.
He faces eight charges of intentionally touching a boy under the age of 16 in Belfast on various dates between 2012 and 2015.
The accused was arrested on December 7, 2016, after giving an interview to the Record and then walking into a Belfast police station to make a statement.
McCafferty, who previously lived in Glasgow, worked at Celtic more than 20 years ago.
He was also a kit man for a number of other Scottish clubs, including Falkirk and Hibs, before moving to Northern Ireland eight years ago.