A FORMER Dunfermline Athletic footballer has been jailed for four years in this country after sexually abusing a young girl in Thailand.
Ian Heddle, 61, who played for the club from 1983 to 1987 and is from the city, was snared after being held at Edinburgh Airport in February 2023 as he attempted to return to the Far East.
A number of electronic devices he had were seized and police uncovered a sick haul of more than 270,000 indecent photos and videos of children.
Officers found three clips of him abusing a child – believed to be aged around eight – as she slept at an address in Chonburi in Thailand in 2019.
The paedophile’s “chubby” fingers and wedding ring were captured on camera.
At the High Court in Glasgow in June, first offender Heddle pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the girl between September 26 and October 12, 2019 while a UK national in Thailand.
He also admitted two indecent images charges.
Returning to court for sentencing today, Heddle was given an extended six-year sentence with four years in custody. He has also been placed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.
Scotland’s procurator fiscal for high court sexual offending, Katrina Parkes, said: “British nationals who sexually abuse children abroad will face justice here.
“Ian Heddle is a predatory individual who poses a danger to young children. “Where legislation allows us to prosecute those who abuse children, we will use every power available to ensure offenders are identified and held accountable.
“We will continue to work with specialist police, international partners, and cybercrime teams to track down and prosecute those who target children. “I would urge anyone with information or knowledge of offending of this kind to come forward and report it as soon as they can.”
Heddle was a midfielder and as well as 41 appearances for Dunfermline, he played for St Johnstone, Forfar Athletic and Brechin City in the 1980s and 1990s.
The former footballer had lived in Thailand while employed as a crane operator for an offshore firm.
The High Court in Glasgow heard how Heddle had been linked to the viewing and uploading of child abuse material from the web.
This was said to have been done at a property in Scotland where he stayed while visiting from Thailand.
Heddle was not there when police called, but officers got information that he was catching a flight at Edinburgh Airport on February 19, 2023.
He was arrested and a number of devices – including an iPhone 12, laptop and hard drive – were taken away to be examined.
Prosecutor Tracey Brown told the court: “He was interviewed and spoke freely. He admitted to the possession of indecent images of children.
“He stated that there would be thousands of images and videos in his hard drive and that they were categorised into folders.”
Miss Brown said there was a total of 272,936 photos as well as 4,001 video clips.
He initially appeared in court in connection with that, was bailed and had his passport seized and ordered to remain in Scotland.
Further checks of the phone revealed three videos that showed Heddle abusing a young child while she slept and carrying out sexual acts in her presence.
The court was told “facial features” could not be identified.
Miss Brown added: “However, the hands were relatively chubby with hairs on his fingers and he was wearing a distinct wedding band.”
Heddle was traced by police to Dunfermline in September 2023 where he had been working as a road cleaner.
Miss Brown said: “During an interview, he verified himself as the person in the pictures and videos carrying out the sexual assault of the child.”
Court papers had his last address as Lochgelly.
His KC Brian McConnachie said Heddle had a “willingness to seek treatment” for his sick behaviour days after his first court appearance in early 2023.
The advocate added an organisation Heddle had been dealing with described him as “wrapped in guilt and shame” at what he had done.
Mr McConnachie added: “He acknowledges the significant adverse impact on the child involved.
“As far as the indecent images are concerned, he has made no attempt to portray this as a victimless crime.”
