Uddingston pensioner faces historical sex charges

A man from Uddingston is accused of indecently assaulting a teenager at Celtic Park and another at the club’s former Barrowfield training ground.

Francis Cairney, 85, is also charged with indecently assaulting a further teenage boy at a hotel room in Aviemore and in a car in Cumbernauld, on various occasions between August 1, 1988 and June 30, 1989.

Prosecutors claim the first boy – aged between 15 and 16 – was earlier assaulted within a car in Paisley and in the dressing rooms at the Barrowfield ground between July 1, 1978 and June 30, 1979.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The charge states that the boy was repeatedly touched on the thigh by Cairney.

Cairney is further charged with repeatedly punching and slapping the same boy to his head and body, again at Barrowfield.

It is also alleged that Cairney assaulted the second boy, aged between 15 and 18, within the Barrowfield dressing rooms as well as Celtic Park between February 1, 1986 and December 31, 1988.

It is claimed Cairney repeatedly hugged him, repeatedly placed his hands underneath his clothing and repeatedly touched his back, stomach, thigh, groin, buttocks and penis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cairney, who did not attend court, pled not guilty to the charges.

This was through his defence advocate Mark Lutton at a hearing in Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Mr Lutton said: “The defence is not prepared for trial.”

Prosecutor Claire Wallace stated that the Crown is ready for trial which is expected to last four days. A further hearing was set for March by Sheriff Alan Mackenzie.

Cairney had his bail continued in the meantime.