Police Scotland has welcomed the sentencing of an Elderslie football coach who used his position to abuse young players for years.
John Queen, 68, was sentenced to four years at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday after being found guilty of repeatedly sexually assaulting two boys when they were aged between 14 and 18, at his home and at facilities belonging to St Andrew’s Academy, Paisley.
The offences occurred between 2005 and 2009.
Officers at Police Scotland's National Child Abuse Investigation Unit released a statement following his sentencing, acknowledging the bravery of Queen's victims for coming forward and reporting the abuse.
Detective Inspector Colin Moffat, of the National Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “We welcome the sentencing of John Queen and I would like to acknowledge the bravery of those who came forward and worked with our specialist officers.
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"We are very aware of how difficult it can be to report being a victim of child abuse. It can take many years before people feel able to report. Our assurance to anyone who may have been a victim of child abuse is that when they are ready to report we will listen, we will investigate and we will take prompt action to ensure that no-one else is at risk of harm.
"We are all responsible for protecting Scotland's children. It is up to all of us to recognise when a child may be at risk and to take steps to protect them and to prevent harm. It is also up to us to create an environment where people feel able to report being a victim of sexual crime without feeling shame.
"We would ask anyone who has concerns or information about any person who may pose a risk to children or who may have abused a child to contact Police Scotland on 101 or their Social Work department.”
