Kenneth Divers abused the boys, some as young as 11, at various locations including Hampden Park and two schools in Paisley between 1968 and 1992.
Following allegations of historical sexual abuse Police Scotland established that Divers had left Scotland in 2013 to move to Dubai. Further police investigation found that Divers had subsequently settled in Vietnam.
In September 2021, an Interpol ‘Red Notice’ was issued and shared with Vietnam. In November, the National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed that Vietnamese authorities had located Divers living in Hoi An. A full extradition request was then sent through diplomatic channels to Vietnam requesting that Divers be returned to Scotland for the purpose of prosecution.
A complex multi-agency operation, involving COPFS prosecutors, Police Scotland, NCA international liaison officers based in Vietnam, the Home Office, the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and other international partners, led to Divers’ arrest by Vietnamese authorities in January 2022.
Speaking after the sentencing, Katie Stewart, who leads on international co-operation for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said:
“Kenneth Divers’ crimes had a devastating impact on the lives of his victims and I commend them for their courage and composure throughout the prosecution process.
“This prosecution would not have been possible without them and the complex international multi-agency work needed to bring Divers back to Scotland.
“The positive relationships we have built with international partners are vitally important to delivering justice for the people of Scotland.
“This case shows that no matter the passage of time or where a perpetrator hides, we and our partners are committed to the effective and fair administration of justice and holding people like Divers to account.”
Further Information
Kenneth Divers was found guilty of the following charges by unanimous verdict of the jury at Paisley Sheriff Court on 25 May 2023 after four days of trial.
LEWD, INDECENT & LIBIDINOUS PRACTICES & BEHAVIOUR
INDECENT ASSAULT
INDECENT ASSAULT
INDECENT ASSAULT
LEWD, INDECENT & LIBIDINOUS PRACTICES & BEHAVIOUR
On 21 June 2023 he was sentenced to five years and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely
This case was prosecuted following a wide-ranging investigation into allegations of abuse in football.
It is a good example of prosecutors using the available mechanisms in international co-operation to trace and acquire a fugitive from justice.
The International Co-operation Unit has responsibility for all aspects of international criminal co-operation, including Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) and extradition. The Unit provides advice and assistance to COPFS and LEAs in relation to international aspects of criminal investigation and prosecution.
An Interpol Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. Member countries apply their own laws in deciding whether to arrest a person.