'Molested' man's player concerns

The evidence was given on the first day of the trial in Inverness

A businessman allegedly molested by an osteopath has told a court of his concern for footballers that may also have been treated by the specialist.

The 59-year-old company director, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claimed to have been touched in a sexual manner by Keith Grieve, 57.

He told the first day of Mr Grieve's trial in Inverness that the osteopath spoke of working with footballers.

Mr Grieve, of Inverness, denies he sexually assaulted 10 men.

He is accused of carrying out an assault against a man on various occasions between 1996 and 2000 at a dental practice in Thurso.

I had never seen anything like that before in my life. I did feel uncomfortable Unnamed businessman

Mr Grieve is also accused of carrying out two further alleged attacks at a clinic in Inverness between 2001 and 2002.

The remaining seven of the 10 charges against him allege that he carried out sexual assaults at an osteopathic centre based in Inverness between 2005 and 2007.

Mr Grieve denies all of the charges.

The unnamed businessman told Inverness Sheriff Court that he was being treated for a long running back injury by Mr Grieve and his first two visits had passed without incident.

On his third and last visit the witness said he was asked to lie on his back, which took him by surprise.

He said: "You normally spend 90% of the time on your tummy and the other 10% on your side but never on your back."

Football involvement

The company director said he felt uncomfortable when his boxer shorts were "whipped off" by Mr Grieve.

He told the court: "I had never seen anything like that before in my life. I did feel uncomfortable.

"His hand touched my testicle, which I thought was possibly a mistake. Then it happened again and it was more noticeable - a more pronounced feeling and much stronger."

He said he thought the way he was touched was "sexual".

The witness said Mr Grieve had spoken of his involvement with the Inverness Caledonian Thistle football team and with the Highland Football Academy for young players.

He added: "That is the reason I am here today. I was concerned that if he was doing that to someone at 56 years of age he might be doing that to someone else a lot younger."

Under cross-examination, the businessman admitted it had taken him a couple of years to come forward with his allegations.

He added: "There is always a stigma attached to anything that has sexual innuendoes."

The trial continues.