May 2023

Predatory ex-Celtic scout found GUILTY of sexually abusing four young players

AN ex-Celtic football scout has been nailed for abusing four young footie hopefuls in his care.

Devious Kenneth Divers – known to his victims as Kenny or KD – targeted the lads when he was a teacher and footie coach at two schools in Paisley

Divers – who scouted for Celtic in the Paisley and District area in the 1980s and 90s – denied the abuse but was today convicted by a jury at Paisley Sheriff Court

It comes after four men told of their childhood trauma at the sicko’s hands.

He was found guilty of abusing former pupils over a 24-year period between 1968 and 1992 when he was a teacher at St Aelred’s Secondary and St Andrews Academy, both in Paisley, Renfrewshire.

In her closing speech to the jury, depute fiscal Dana Barclay described his child victims as “brave men” who gave “compelling and overwhelming” evidence against their former coach.

She said: “Kenny Divers acted in a predatory, opportunistic, sexually abusive manner against these vulnerable young boys when in a position of trust as their teacher.”

She pin-pointed common factors in each case including the boys’ “passion for football” and the fact Divers would shower some with gifts like football boots and a “Celtic kit”.

Urging the jury to convict, she added: “He was not caring about the devastating impact this was having on these boys as he moved from one victim to the next.”

The jury of eight men and seven women were not convinced and found Divers guilty of five charges.

He targeted one lad aged between 11 and 13 at locations in Dunoon and Hampden Park “on various occasions” between August 1, 1968 and June 9, 1970.

A second boy was preyed upon at properties in Paisley and Largs when he was between 12 and 16 years old between August 1, 1971, and May 31, 1975.

A third victim was aged between 10 and 14 when he was victimised at St Aelred’s between August 1, 1984, and August 31, 1988.

And a fourth lad fell into his clutches between August 1, 1991, and December 31, 1992 at St Andrews Academy.

Sheriff Brian Mohan deferred sentence for reports.