Pensioner told 'you need new lawyer'
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A FORMER coach who admitted sexually assaulting teenage boys in Ross-shire under his supervision has been advised to get a new lawyer before he’s sentenced next month.
Robert Russell (67) had earlier admitted sexually assaulting four boys between the ages of 15 and 18 in the 1970s and ’80s at venues ranging from a school hostel, a sports centre and a street in Dingwall while he was employed as a community education officer.
The case against Russell, now of Cooper Street in Elgin, was continued last week after his solicitor withdrew from representing him.
Sentence had been deferred for reports following an earlier hearing at Inverness Sheriff Court.
However, when he appeared again last week, the court heard that he "did not accept responsibility for these offences" when he met with the author of the report, despite having pleaded guilty in court.
Solicitor Matthew O’Neill said the terms of the report placed both him and Russell "in a difficult position".
He said: "Having discussed these matters with Mr Russell I make a motion to withdraw from acting for him."
Sheriff Margaret Neilson said she understood his position.
She told Russell: "There are other issues within the report and I am going to have to ask for a further criminal justice report to take into account all appropriate sentencing options available to me and I strongly suggest that you get legal representation."
The court previously heard how 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.
Sentence was deferred after his last appearance for reports.
Russell is due to appear in court again on August 2.
