Stirling Albion football coach denies sex charges

A youth development coach at a football club has appeared in court, accused of bombarding four boys, one as young as 11, with sexual internet messages.

In the case of three of the boys it is alleged his intention was to humiliate them.

Alexander Robertson, 21, of Scottish League Two side Stirling Albion, is said to have “repeatedly” sent online sexual messages to three of the boys, who were aged 13 to 15 at the time, “for the purposes of obtaining sexual gratification or of humiliating, distressing, or alarming” his alleged victims.

The messages are said to have been sent on a number of occasions over three and a half years between August 2013 and February 2017, during which time it is claimed Robertson repeatedly asked two of the teenagers to accompany him on car journeys and asked the third for pictures of his body. It alleged he also repeatedly asked the fourth boy, then aged 11 to 14, to accompany him on car journeys, again requesting pictures of his body and eventually inducing him to send him pictures of himself “in a state of undress”.

The offences are said to have taken place at Robertson’s home in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, and at other locations in Scotland including Dunblane, Stirling, Clackmannanshire, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Appearing in the dock at Falkirk Sheriff Court yesterday Robertson, of Bridge of Allan, spoke only to confirm his name. Defence solicitor Virgil Crawford said his client pleaded not guilty.

Robertson faces a total of five charges on an indictment, under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act.

Sheriff Craig Caldwell renewed bail, and ordered Robertson, to reappear at another preliminary hearing on 24 April. Work has begun on the restoration of the historic Abbey Strand buildings in the Canongate and the creation of a Learning Centre within them at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

For centuries these buildings have been closely associated with the palace’s dramatic history, and some of Edinburgh’s most colourful characters have passed through their doors.

The first part of the works, to remove the harling and dry out the exterior, will be carried out behind a nine metre-high scaffold wrap that tells the story of the close relationship between the palace, Abbey Strand and the city of Edinburgh.

The Learning Centre, to be created under the direction of Burd Haward Architects, will occupy the majority of the ground and first floors of the Abbey Strand buildings. Royal Collection Trust will develop the upper floors into holiday apartments, bringing these historic buildings back into full use.

The Learning Centre will provide spaces for school groups, families and adults to explore the history of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Collection.

It is part of Future Programme, a £10 million investment by Royal Collection Trust to enhance the visitor experience.