Jail death of paedo ex-Celtic coach Funavoidable

Probe rules multiple health problems were to blame for predator dying while in prison

-  DAVID MEIKLE

A PREDATORY former Celtic youth football coach suffered multiple health issues in jail which meant his death was unavoidable, a sheriff has ruled.

James McCafferty, 76, who was exposed by the Daily Record, was found dead at HMP Glenochil by staff who were carrying out checks on the paedophile.

McCafferty, who also worked at Falkirk and Hibs, had suffered a string of strokes and had multiple visits to hospital for sepsis which meant he required daily nursing. He also did not want medics to attempt resuscitation.

A fatal accident inquiry at Falkirk Sheriff Court heard McCafferty, who needed a zimmer to move about prison, had been in "very poor health" before his demise in November 2022.

Sheriff Alison Michie concluded the death was unavoidable and said there had been no concern about his treatment.

McCafferty was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh in 2019 for sex attacks on players at Celtic from 1972 to 1996.