THE former Celtic Boys' Club general manager faced with sex abuse charges was the victim of a campaign of threats from a long-time fan of the club.
Mr Frank Cairney, 61, was hounded at his home and threatened in a series of malicious telephone calls from 44-year-old Gerald McSherry.
Yesterday, at Hamilton Sheriff Court, McSherry, who had previously pleaded not guilty, admitted four charges, two of breach of the peace and two under the Telecommunications Act.
McSherry, of Skye Road, Rutherglen, began his campaign on December 1 last year when he went to Mr Cairney's home at Elmbank Avenue, Uddingston, Lanarkshire.
He began banging on doors, including Mr Cairney's door.
In court he admitted causing a breach of the peace by threatening Mr Cairney with violence and placing others in a state of fear and alarm.
He admitted causing a breach of the peace by telephoning Mr Cairney on various occasions between December 1 1995 and February 4 1996 and threatening him.
The other charges, under the Telecommunications Act, relate to two occasions on March 11 and 12 this year, when McSherry again contacted Mr Cairney.
McSherry, who represented himself, was asked by Sheriff Vincent Canavan if he was adhering to his earlier not guilty plea.
He replied: ``Certainly not, I'm pleading guilty.''
As each charge was read out McSherry replied ``certainly guilty''.
Sheriff Canavan said: ``There are certain unusual features about these offences.''
He said he would defer sentence for background reports and to allow McSherry time to appoint a solicitor.
However, McSherry said he would not be appointing a solicitor. Mr Cairney resigned his dual role at Celtic - general manager of Celtic Boys' Club and a coach at the senior club - in 1991 after a 21-year connection with the youth side. Leaving court McSherry would say only: ``I have no comment, no reaction.''
On the sex abuse charges, a Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said: ``Strathclyde Police can confirm that a 61-year-old man and a 49-year-old man are the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.''
McSherry was warned by Sheriff Canavan that he could face jail.
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