A former Tayside and Fife footballer caught out by his fat fingers after sexually abusing a young girl in Thailand has been jailed for four years.
Ian Heddle was snared after being held at Edinburgh Airport in February 2023 as he returned to the Far East.
His electronic devices 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 61-year-old was recognised on the footage due to his fat fingers and wedding ring captured on camera.
Extended sentence
Heddle – a professional midfielder in the 1980s and 90s – was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.
He had pled guilty last month to sexually assaulting the girl between September 26 and October 12 2019 while a UK national in Thailand.
First offender Heddle further admitted two indecent images charges.
Judge John McCormick said he was satisfied an extended sentence had to be imposed.
As well as the jail-term, Heddle will be supervised for a further two years on his release.
Heddle had lived in Thailand while employed as a crane operator for an offshore firm.
The court heard how he 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 he was catching a flight at Edinburgh Airport on February 19 2023.
He was arrested and a number of devices – including the iPhone, a laptop and hard drive – were taken away to be examined.
Sick photos and videos found
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 clips.
After appearing in court, he was bailed, had his passport seized and was ordered to remain in Scotland.
Miss Brown said further checks of the iPhone 12 revealed “contact offending” involving Heddle and an unknown young female.
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.”
Road sweeper
Heddle was traced by police to Dunfermline, in September 2023 where he had been working as a road sweeper.
Miss Brown: “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 Heddle’s last address as Lochgelly in Fife.
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: “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.”
Heddle will be on the sex offenders list indefinitely.
‘Predatory danger to young young children’
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.”
Detective Inspector Adrian Ure of Police Scotland’s National Child Abuse Investigations Unit said: “Heddle’s behaviour was deplorable with no thought to the young child he sexually assaulted or the victims depicted in the images and videos he was viewing.
“His sentencing sends a clear message that anyone found guilty of these offences will be brought to justice.”
Duncan Burrage, a National Crime Agency International Liaison Officer, said: “Offenders like Ian Heddle think that they won’t get caught by travelling to the other side of the world to conduct child abuse.
“However, the NCA has the capabilities to identify and disrupt them.
“Borders are not a barrier; we work closely with our partners in the UK and overseas to ensure that Britons committing child abuse offences abroad are prosecuted and vulnerable children are safeguarded, wherever they are in the world.
“Child sexual abuse is a major global issue which requires a collective international response, which is why tackling it in all its forms remains a priority for the NCA.”
Heddle played for Dunfermline, St Johnstone, Forfar, Brechin and Kelty Hearts during his career throughout the 1980s and 90s.
He scored on his debut for the Perth side, after a £50,000 move from the Pars.
He also had a brief period playing in Australia.
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