Celtic Boys’ Club Sexual Abuse Cases: Football Club Could Settle for Millions

A major Scottish football club is in the news currently regarding historic abuse. The Celtic Boys' Club sexual abuse cases could settle for millions as Celtic FC seeks to address legal claims.

Celtic Boys' Club in Glasgow was founded in 1966 by Jim Torbett as a feeder club for the professional football team at Celtic Football Club. Along with several other members of the club’s staff, Torbett has been convicted of historic child sexual abuse. When these allegations first came to light, Celtic FC insisted that it shouldn’t have to take responsibility, as the boys' club was an "entirely different organisation." However, the club is now looking to settle to the tune of several million pounds.

Jim Torbett faced multiple allegations of child sexual abuse, with the most recent conviction being given out at the High Court in Inverness. Torbett was jailed for two years in 1998, convicted of abusing three former Celtic Boys’ Club players, including former Scotland international footballer, Alan Brazil, between 1967-1974. In April 2023, Torbett was found guilty of offences against a 13-year-old boy. He was previously jailed in 2018 for abusing three boys over an eight-year period.

In his summing up statement at the High Court, Judge, Andrew Cubie, told the 75-year-old man that he had used the football team as "an elaborate front for recruitment of your young victims”. The judge said: “You have enjoyed 30 years of avoiding responsibility for your conduct but the impact on your victim has been lifelong.”

Group Action Lawsuit Approved in the Celtic Boys’ Club Sexual Abuse Cases

Given the quantity and severity of Jim Torbett’s convictions, last year a judge gave the go ahead for a US-style class action civil case against Celtic Football Club. The argument was that the boys’ club and the senior club were intimately connected, and that the senior club was vicariously liable.

In the news this week are reports that the club is planning to settle the Celtic Boys’ Club sexual abuse claims for more than 20 former players. This is despite the fact there is no formal admission of liability.

Among other abusers at the boys’ club, Gerald King, a teacher, was convicted in 2019 of sexually abusing four boys and a girl between 1984 and 1989. Sheriff Johanna Johnston QC said that Gerald King had breached "a trust that both pupils and society place on schoolteachers."

In May 2019 Celtic Boys' Club former kit man, Jim McCafferty pleaded guilty to 12 charges relating to sexual abuse involving 10 boys between 1972 and 1996. McCafferty died in prison in November 2022.

Celtic Boys’ Club Sexual Abuse Cases Are Not the Only Ones 

Cases of abuse in children’s sport continue to come out in the press and the courts take them very seriously. Sadly, institutional abuse isn’t restricted to sports.

Children who suffered abuse years ago are now adults forming survivors’ groups that offer support to others who have been through similar incidents. 

If you are looking for advice on dealing with historic abuse, you can contact The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC). NAPAC offers support to adult survivors of historic childhood abuse, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse or neglect.

You may be entitled to make a claim for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme so long as the abuse has been reported to the police. Historic abuse claims can be more complex, due to the amount of time passed. A CICA solicitor will be able to check if you are eligible before you decide whether you want to make a claim.

Contact one of our team of experts on 0113 320 5000 or @email for more information.