Team manager cleared of abuse

Mr Curran protested his innocence

A Scottish football manager has been dramatically cleared of sexually abusing two young girls.

Dennis Curran walked free after being found not guilty of four counts of lewd and libidinous conduct dating from the 1980s.

Both complainers broke down hysterically as the jury read its verdict.

Police were then forced to step in as members of the alleged victims' families angrily clashed with the Vale of Clyde boss outside court.

People were trying to tarnish my name. I am just glad this is the end of it

Dennis Curran

Afterwards, Mr Curran, 54, said: "My life has been torn to ribbons by all of this. I protested innocence throughout and that has proved to be the case.

"People were trying to tarnish my name. I am just glad this is the end of it."

Father-of-two Mr Curran was charged with abusing the pair during overnight stays at his bungalow in Birchwood Avenue, Mount Vernon, Glasgow.

Ms A said she was nine when Curran started coming into the room where she slept and putting his hand up her nightdress.

Offences denied

The woman, now 29, claimed she was also attacked in her own home in Glasgow.

Ms B, now 28, claimed Mr Curran sneaked into a room on his hands and knees and then abused her when she was 13.

She told the Glasgow Sheriff Court it lasted for two years and ended when he allegedly exposed himself while driving them into a bus station.

Mr Curran - rated as one of the top coaches in the country's junior ranks - denied the offences claiming he was "a bit of a softie".

He then added they had told lies because they were "jealous" of his "comfortable lifestyle".

Everyone will have to get on with their lives, but it is going to be difficult knowing, in our eyes, justice has not been done

Family relative

Mr Curran told the court he had lost two jobs as a result of the allegations with fears he could be dismissed from Vale of Clyde, who he led to promotion last year.

Outside court, both women were too distressed to comment.

But, a relative said they would continue to be "blighted for the rest of their lives".

He said: "I am just stunned by it all - it really is hard to take in the verdict. How must it feel to know you have not been believed?

"Everyone will have to get on with their lives, but it is going to be difficult knowing, in our eyes, justice has not been done."