CELTIC BOYS CLUB MAN ON SEX CHARGE

Torbett, 75, faces trial for 1960s abuse

A FORMER Celtic Boys Club manager will stand trial accused of historic sexual abuse of a 13-year-old boy.

Jim Torbett, 75, allegedly committed the attacks between June 1967 and December 1968. The abuse is said to have carried on until the boy was 14.

Torbett is charged with indecently assaulting him at a toy shop in Glasgow’s Maryhill.

It is claimed that Torbett exposed himself and performed a sex act.

Torbett allegedly went on to seize the boy by his neck and repeatedly attempted to make him perform a sex act on him.

Torbett also faces separate charges of using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards the boy.

Torbett allegedly touched him on the thigh over his clothing before groping him while in a motor vehicle in Drumchapel.

He is then said to have exposed himself and performed a sex act.

The final charge claims that Torbett touched him on the body while he was asleep at a flat in the city’s Sighthill.

Torbett allegedly positioned the boy’s leg over his and kissed him on the mouth after he woke up.

It is claimed Torbett went on to repeatedly grope the boy before performing a sex act on himself. The charge also states that on a separate occasion Torbett kissed him on the mouth and performed a sex act on himself.

Torbett, who did not appear at a hearing yesterday at the High Court in Glasgow, pled not guilty to the four charges through his defence counsel Jim Keegan QC.

The advocate said: “The concerns in this case is about publicity and a trial date has been identified in Inverness and I accept that it is good management.”

Prosecutor Owen Mullan told the court that the Crown is ready for trial.

A six-day trial was fixed for April next year at the High Court in Inverness by Judge Lady Drummond.