THE founder of Celtic Boys Club has been convicted in connection with historic offences relating to the sexual assault of a teenage boy.

A statement shared by Police Scotland today reads: "James Torbett, 75, has today been convicted in connection with offences relating to the sexual assault of a teenage boy whilst he was a coach at a local football team.

"The offences occurred between 1967 and 1968.

"Torbett has been on trial at the High Court in Inverness. He was sentenced and will now need to serve a further three years on top of his current sentence."

The first charge states he indecently assaulted a 13-year-old boy at a toyshop in Glasgow's Maryhill, while a separate charge says he targeted the boy while in a vehicle in Drumchapel.

Torbett was also charged with using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards the boy, as well as touching him on the body while he was sleeping at a flat in north Glasgow. 

Glasgow Times:

Torbett, who founded Celtic Boys Club in 1966, will now serve a further three years on top of his current six-year sentence for sexually abusing boys. 

Torbett was also jailed for six years in November 2018 for the assaults which occurred between 1970 and 1994.

Two victims had been in his under-14s football teams, while the third was abused by Torbett at the age of five.

He was also convicted in November 1998 of shameless indecency involving three Celtic Boys Club members.

In the wake of Torbett's conviction, Detective Inspector Jim McLauchlan of the National Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: “We hope this conviction brings some measure of closure to his victim.

"We are very aware of how difficult it can be to report being a victim of child abuse.

"It can take many years before people feel able to report.

"Our assurance to anyone who may have been a victim of child abuse is that when they are ready to report we will listen, we will investigate and we will take prompt action to ensure that no one else is at risk of harm.‎

"We are all responsible for protecting Scotland's children. It is up to all of us to recognise when a child may be at risk and to take steps to protect them and to prevent harm.

"It is also up to us to create an environment where people feel able to report being a victim of sexual crime without feeling shame.

"We would ask anyone who has concerns or information about any person who may pose a risk to children, or who may have abused a child, to contact Police Scotland on 101.”

An NSPCC Scotland spokesperson said: “Torbett’s victim has shown great bravery in speaking out about how he suffered, and we hope the conviction of his abuser will bring some solace.

“Child sexual abuse can have a devastating and long-lasting effect on a person’s life, and we hope the victim in this case is receiving the support they need to move forward with their lives.

“It is so important that those who have experienced abuse as children are empowered to speak out and seek support, regardless of how many years have passed or who the abuser is.

“They can speak to a trained child protection specialist at the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk, while Childline is there for young people on 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk.”