Ex-Waverley captain sexually abused three teenage boys

David Neill, who was captain of the famous paddle steamer, has been jailed for seven years.

Ex-Waverley captain sexually abused three teenage boys Spindrift

The former captain of the Waverley paddle steamer has been jailed for seven years after being convicted of sexually abusing three teenage boys more than 30 years ago.

David Neill, 75, of Galston, Ayrshire, still continues to deny the charges against him.

At the High Court in Glasgow Judge Tom Hughes QC sentenced Neill and said: “You sat through the trial and showed no remorse or regret.

“You were actually grooming them and used them for your own selfish evil sexual gratification.”

During his trial, the victims, all now in their 50s, had to relive their ordeals at the hands of Neill, who captained the Waverley from 1975 to 1997.

The court heard Neill lured all three teenagers with the promise of jobs on the ship and then a career in the Navy.

The four charges of indecent assault were committed between March 1982 and September 1987.

Police began investigating Neill after one of the victims came forward.

Neill did not give evidence, but denied the allegations and told police : “I’m aghast at it all, I really am. There is no way I would be interested in sex with any males.”

He was placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Neill was jailed for three years in 1998 at Glasgow Sheriff Court after being found guilty of abusing five teenage boys in his cabin.

The offences took place in the captain’s cabin while the Waverley was on trips on the Clyde or berthed at Anderston Quay, Glasgow, between 1981 and 1987.

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