Gordon Woods, a survivor of abuse at Celtic Boys Club who spent decades fighting for justice, has died at the age of 71. He passed away on the morning of Wednesday, August 12, following a battle with a chronic lung disease.
His death was confirmed by the Spotlight Abuse Campaign. In a statement, the campaign said: “A brave man passed away today. Years of ill health has finally claimed the life of Gordon Woods. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family. He leaves behind a legacy of courage and dogged determination in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds.”
A Legacy of Courage
Woods had bravely waived his right to anonymity to expose the scale of the horrific abuse endured by boys at the club between the 1960s and mid-1990s. Speaking to the Record in 2023, he described how he had finally taken back power from Jim Torbett, who had terrified him as a child.
Torbett began attacking Woods when he was just 13. During the trial, Woods testified that Torbett assaulted him up to 40 times between 1967 and 1968. The attacks took place in the paedophile's flat, in his car, and in the back of a toy shop in Glasgow.
Taking Back Control
Speaking to the Record at the time, Woods said: "I hope Torbett rots in jail for the pain and suffering he has caused to countless families. I have felt guilt, shame and embarrassment for over 30 years, but I have now achieved what I set out to do. I have taken back control from Torbett. I faced him in a court of law. The court offered me a screen so he couldn't see me, but I refused. I wanted him to look at me when I told the court what he did to me. I wanted to show he has no power over me anymore."
