Former Celtic youth coach pleads guilty to sexual abuse charges

Former Celtic Football Club youth coach Jim McCafferty has pled guilty to sexually abusing a teenager in what a court heard he had regarded as a “bit of fun”.

The 72-year-old pled guilty in May to eight charges of sexual offences against one boy over a three-year period.

McCafferty had previously pled not guilty, but changed his plea to guilty on the day of his trial.

Yesterday McCafferty reappeared in the dock of Belfast Crown Court for sentencing.

Judge Patricia Smyth sentenced him to three years and nine months.

He will spend half of his sentence in prison and half on licence.

The judge described the case as a “particularly complex sentencing exercise”, but said there was no dispute around the facts.

She said: “You repeatedly sexually assaulted your victim for three years over the period from December 2012-December 2015 when your victim was a young teenager aged 14-16. You, on the other hand, were a mature adult aged 66-68.

“You ingratiated yourself into your victim’s family, gaining the trust of his mother who regarded you as a role model for her children.

“You abused trust placed in you by his family... assaulting him in your home and his home.”

During sentencing the judge also spoke of health issues faced by McCafferty. Judge Smyth also noted that McCafferty had not had an “easy” childhood, and had himself been the victim of sexual assaults over the period of a year when he was a young teenager.

“You said it had not had an impact on your life... it may explain in some part the lack of empathy you have shown to your victim.”

The judge went on to describe his expressions of remorse for his behaviour towards his victim as “superficial” and “disingenuous”.

She said McCafferty had regarded his behaviour as “a bit of fun” for the teenager, adding: “You continue to hold that view.”

McCafferty will remain on the sexual offenders register for an “indefinite period” and has been banned from working with children in any capacity.