Paedo branded ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’
A FORMER boss of Celtic Boys Club who sexually abused teenagers has been jailed for four years.
Frank Cairney, 83, abused eight boys while running St Columba’s Boys Guild in Viewpark, Lanarkshire, and the under-16 team at Celtic Boys Club.
Cairney joined Celtic Boys Club in 1971 but he used his position to molest youngsters in a church hall, in his car and at Celtic’s Barrowfield training ground.
Cairney, of Viewpark, had denied nine charges of sexual abuse between 1965 and 1986 but was convicted at Hamilton Sheriff Court following a trial. Jailing Cairney, Sheriff Daniel Kelly branded him a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”.
He said: “You organised BY DAVID MEIKLE reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk a church team and then went on to Celtic Boys Club and this proved to be the cover for you to prey upon boys.”
Speaking outside court, a family member of one of the victims said: “It is outrageous Cairney still claims he is innocent.”
A man who was abused by Cairney slated the sentence as “completely insufficient for the life time sentence myself and others abused by this man continue to serve”.
The man, who is a client of Thompsons Solicitors in a civil case against Celtic FC, added: “I would like to say to Celtic FC, who continue to deny they have any responsibility for what went on at the boys club, how can you live with yourself? I believe that Celtic knew what was going on and did nothing.”
Patrick McGuire of Thompsons, said: “The close links between Celtic FC and the Boys Club are clear and undeniable. Celtic think they can hide from their responsibilities by claiming they were a separate organisation.”
Celtic FC said: “Although Celtic FC is an entirely separate organisation to Celtic Boys’ Club, we wish to express our deep regret these incidents took place, as well as our sympathy for the victims.
“Celtic FC strongly believes children and young people involved in football have the right to protection from all forms of harm and abuse and is committed to ensuring this.”