CELTIC Boys' Club founder Jim Torbett was jailed for two years yesterday for abusing three young players in a scandal going back 30 years.

The 51-year-old businessman used his position as coach to molest the boys, including future Scotland footballer Alan Brazil.

A jury had found him guilty of three charges of shameless indecency after a trial earlier this month.

Sheriff Margaret Gimblett was urged at Glasgow Sheriff Court by Mr William McVicar, defending, not to jail Torbett of Beaconsfield Road, Kelvinside, Glasgow, saying the offences were at the ''lower end of the scale''.

But Sheriff Gimblett told Torbett: ''These offences are totally unacceptable and the public demands that the courts acknowledge this.

''I think it is right that a clear message be given by the courts that such conduct can never be tolerated.

''Nowadays there can be no hiding place for people who abuse children.''

The sheriff said she had carefully read the many testimonial letters presented on Torbett's behalf.

She added: ''You were in a position of trust at the time not only with Celtic Boys' Club, which you founded, but also with the Glasgow Area of Youth Clubs and parents entrusted you with their children.''

She said: ''These children were football mad with stars in their eyes and perhaps hoping to kick their way to the stars with one of the greatest clubs in the world.

''You knew that and you betrayed that trust.''

Sheriff Gimblett continued: ''Things were different 25 years ago and young boys did not talk about sex. They were still children.

''They said in court they thought they would be laughed at by their peers and you have brought anguish and shame to them and to one of the greatest football clubs in the world and to some people the greatest.''

She said she had considered sending Torbett to the High Court for sentence but because of what had been said on his behalf she would deal with the matter herself.

His name will now go on the register for sexual offenders.

Sentence on Torbett was deferred for reports two weeks ago after he was found guilty on three charges of shameless indecency between 1968 and 1974.

The offences against Mr Brazil, 39, David Gordon, 38, and James McGrory, 44, happened in Torbett's flat at Pinkston Drive, Sighthill, Glasgow.

Mr McGrory was also indecently touched in cinemas and cafes in the city.

Mr McVicar, defending, said Torbett had a difficult start to life with alcoholism in the family and his parents breaking up.

Despite this he had established a business which was still flourishing. Torbett started his Trophy Centre business, which makes and sells sporting trophies, in 1980.

Two of his directors were former Celtic boardroom members Jack McGinn and Kevin Kelly.

Mr McVicar said Torbett was a different character now than 25 years ago and was now in a relationship. He added that since the case emerged Torbett had become ''a recluse'' because of the attention of the media.

''It is my submission it would not be unfair to say he has already been punished considerably,'' said Mr McVicar.

Mr Hugh Birt, former chairman of Celtic Boys' Club, said : ''I am very happy for the people of Glasgow that he has been put away. Perhaps the children will be safe now.

''It has been a long and difficult time and I think justice has been done.''

In a statement issued after the sentence, Mr McGrory spoke of the trauma he had endured.

''I feel that the sheriff's decision to impose a custodial sentence was entirely appropriate, if only to serve as a warning to other predators that similar incidents will result in a jail sentence.''

He said the club's name had been badly tarnished by Mr Torbett's ''horrific acts'' but said he held no grudge.

''Hopefully, adequate safeguards will now exist within every club to ensure that similar incidents never arise,'' he said.