Coach abused teen boys under his care
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A FOOTBALL and swimming coach has admitted sexually assaulting teenage boys under his supervision in Ross-shire.
Robert Russell (67) preyed on boys while employed as a swimming instructor at Dingwall Sports Centre and in his role as a community education officer.
Russell, now of Cooper Street in Elgin, admitted sexually assaulting four boys between the ages of 15 and 18 in the 1970s and ’80s.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard how the Mackay Hostel in Tulloch Castle Drive in Dingwall had been used to house boys from remote rural communities attending school in the area. Russell preyed on them whilst employed in the town.
One of his victims was repeatedly molested when Russell worked as a lifeguard at Dingwall Sports Centre. Depute fiscal Alison McKenzie told Sheriff Margaret Neilson the 15-year-old was being trained in lifeguard skills and it was when they were alone at the pool Russell repeatedly fondled him over his trunks: "It happened so frequently he could not recall the number of occasions he was molested," said the fiscal.
The boy didn’t report the assaults and told no-one until many years later as a father of two he received a letter from Russell offering to act as a football scout for his children.
The fiscal said: "The complainer was furious, recalled the abuse he suffered at the hands of the accused, and made a statement of complaint to police."
Russell admitted assaulting the boy on various dates between 1977 and 1979 at Dingwall Sports Centre Swimming Pool and between May and June 1981 at the Mackay Hostel sexually assaulting a 16-year-old. He further admitted assaulting an 18-year-old by handling his buttocks over his kilt in 1983 at a street in Dingwall and exposing himself to him.
He also pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting an 18- year-old at the hostel in 1984 by sitting on his bed uninvited, placing his hand under the bed covers and repeatedly attempting to touch his genitals,
The 16-year-old who was assaulted in 1981 reported the matter to police in February 2017 having experienced difficulties in his life. The fiscal said he was supported by his wife and family who encouraged him to report the offence.
"A police investigation began and the accused was traced to his employment with Lossiemouth Football Club and its association with Lossiemouth High School."
The other complainers were also traced and later Russell admitted knowing two of his victims during his time at the hostel but provided mostly "no comment" answers to questions put to him. Sentence was deferred for reports until July 5 and Russell is now subject to the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders’ Register.
