Former youth coach sex trial
A former football kitman and youth coach from Wishaw is to stand trial for alleged child sex offences.
Jim McCafferty, 71, worked at Celtic more than 20 years ago and also Craigneuk Colts.
He was also a kitman for other Scottish clubs, including Falkirk and Hibs, before moving to Northern Ireland about seven years ago
McCafferty appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court last week charged with eight counts of intentionally touching a boy under the age of 16.
The alleged offences were committed in the city between 2012 and 2015.
His solicitor, Stephen Tumelty, did not dispute submissions that a case has been established.
Granting the prosecution application, District Judge Fiona Bagnall returned McCafferty for trial at Belfast Crown Court on a date to be fixed.
McCafferty, who lived in Wishaw before moving to Belfast, was arrested in December after giving an interview to the Daily Record and then walking into a Belfast police station.
He has been on remand amid fears for his safety.
He didn’t apply for bail and is expected to remain in custody until the trial gets under way.
It is understood Police Scotland are investigating claims that McCafferty abused boys during his career as a kitman in Scotland.