Boys Brigade leader who preyed on young boys slammed for 'despicable' actions

A football coach and Boys' Brigade leader paedophile who preyed on young boys in Glasgow has been slammed for his 'despicable' actions.

Craig Menzies targeted his victims at various locations between 1986 and 2004.

The 55-year-old used his involvements with the 118th Boys Brigade Company, based in Kings Park Parish in Glasgow, the Whitecart Angels Baseball Club and the Cart Castle Youth Football Club to abuse children.

He pleaded guilty to the offences in the Glasgow, Fife and Highland areas at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

Today he was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

(Image: Police Scotland)

He will also be supervised for a further three years on release and has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Detective Inspector Colin Moffat of the National Child Abuse Investigation Unit has spoken out following Menzies' conviction.

He said: “Menzies has admitted to a campaign of sexual violence against youngsters spanning three decades. He abused his position as a trusted adult to these children and now faces the consequences of his despicable actions.

“I hope his conviction and sentencing will offer some form of justice to those involved, who have shown incredible strength throughout the reporting and court process.

“Police Scotland is committed to tackling all forms of sexual crimes, regardless of when they occurred. I’d urge anyone who has been a victim of such offences to come forward knowing we will fully investigate and you will be supported by our specially trained officers and partner agencies.”

READ MORE: Former Glasgow youth football coach jailed for 'depraved' historic sexual abuse

The court heard how Menzies met four of his victims when he was a leader with the Boys Brigade unit.

He indecently assaulted a child who was intoxicated and asleep during a trip to a campsite in Leven, Fife, in the mid to late 80s.

A second boy, aged around 12 or 13, was targeted during a camping trip at the West Highland Way, near Fort William, in the early to mid-90s.

Menzies gave the boy alcohol and showed him pornographic magazines before sexually abusing him.

A third boy, aged around 12 or 13, was targeted at a campsite in Glencoe in the early 90s.

A fourth was assaulted in the mid-90s during an unofficial camping trip to Skye, which had been arranged by Menzies.

He admitted using lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices and behaviour towards a boy he met through the baseball club on various occasions in the early to mid-90s.

The sixth victim, aged around 13, met Menzies through a family friend and would take part in ‘fitness sessions’ held at Bellahouston Park or at Menzies' home.

Menzies admitted sexually abusing the boy on an occasion in the early to mid-2000s.

The paedophile targeted his seventh victim in the early 2000s when he was the manager of the football club in the early 2000s.

Scotland’s procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offending, Katrina Parkes said:  “Menzies used his position and community links to prey on vulnerable young boys who should have been safe in his care.

“His depraved offending affected many, who now live with the traumatic consequences of his actions.

“I would like to commend their bravery in coming forward. Their strength has resulted in his conviction.

“COPFS prosecutors are committed to justice for victims of child sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the offences occurred.

“I would urge any victim of similar crime not to suffer in silence but to report it and seek support.

"Our prosecutors will use every tool available in seeking justice.”