Former Celtic kitman hands himself into police after admitting abuse

An ex-football coach and former kitman for Scottish giant Celtic has been arrested in Northern Ireland after handing himself into police.

Jim McCafferty, now aged 71, told The Irish Mirror's Jilly Beattie that he sought to "cleanse (his) soul" after he preyed on "about a dozen" teenagers over the 1980s and 1990s.

"A 71-year-old male has been arrested by detectives after presenting himself at a station in Belfast," said detective superintendent Deirdre Bones, according to the Press Association.

"He was arrested on suspicion of sexual offences against children in Northern Ireland. He is currently helping police with their inquiries."

Investigations over his history of abominable behaviour in Scotland are underway, too.

A police spokesman told the PA: "Police Scotland has received a report of non-recent sexual abuse and will commence inquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this matter."

Since Andy Woodward's interview with the Guardian's Daniel Taylor in November which detailed the horrendous abuse he received from ex-youth coach Barry Bennell at Crewe Alexandra, swathes of ex-footballers have come forward with their own accounts.

The most famous name associated with the scandal pervading through Britain so far is Matt Le Tissier, who described being subject to a "naked" massage during his early days at Southampton.

Related - Le Tissier: I received 'naked' massage from ex-Southampton coach