‘Waverley pervert put my son through hell,’ reveals mum

A MUM has told how a disgraced former Waverley captain put her teenage son through ‘years of hell’ while skippering the iconic paddle steamer.

David Neill, who died in prison recently, used his position on the world-famous vessel between 1975 to 1997 to prey on young boys with the promise of a future career.

Despite continuing to deny his twisted crimes, the pensioner was jailed for seven years in February 2020 after being found guilty of four charges of indecent assault.

A fatal accident inquiry is taking place into his death at Barlinnie Prison.

One of Neill’s victims was a Largs man – and his mother has now spoken about her son’s ordeal. She says the former Waverley captain’s death in prison has finally brought some closure for her family and told how his heinous actions wrecked her son’s life.

She said: “Neill was a terrible, terrible man. My son was such a happy go lucky boy, someone who wouldn’t hurt a fly. The ordeal that he had to go through because of this man is unthinkable. Neill put my son through hell.”

Another victim, who now lives in Canada, waived his right to anonymity at the time of the High Court trial.

Jim Scott explained how he still endured flashbacks to his ordeal, which led to him being diagnosed with PTSD.

He said: “I feel shame and embarrassment of being afraid to tell anyone.”

The High Court judge praised the dignity of all Neill’s victims and acknowledged they have been left with “horrendous lifelong consequences”.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service said: “David Lindsay Neil, 76, a prisoner from HMP Barlinnie died last week.”