A footballer convicted of a sex attack on a woman in a nightclub is on trial with Dundee.
Defender Niall Mason is currently being assessed by Dens Park gaffer James McPake.
The free agent last played for Peterborough United in the English Championship, before leaving in May when his contract expired.
The 24-year-old was signed by the Real Madrid academy when he was seven, and at one point was touted as “the new David Beckham”, according to reports.
He played in more attacking positions as a youngster, before settling into playing in defence or defensive midfielder roles.
Sexual assault in nightclub
In January 2019, while playing for Doncaster Rovers, he was convicted of sexual assault on a woman in a South Yorkshire nightspot.
The Doncaster Free Press reported that Mason carried out the sexual assault on a stranger, who was sitting next to him at the Pangea bar in Bawtry, during the early hours of February 18 2018.
A court heard he grabbed her hair and pulled her towards him before putting his hand up her jumper and groping her breast.
DNA found on victim’s bra
The victim reported the assault to security staff and later to the police.
Mason initially denied the assault but his DNA was found on the woman’s bra.
In a victim personal statement read to the court, the woman said the incident had left her feeling “devastated” and “hysterical”.
Mason was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and placed on the sex offenders’ register for seven years after pleading guilty to the attack.
‘Deal could be viewed as controversial’
In March 2019, Mason was sacked from Doncaster Rovers as a result of his conviction.
He went on to sign for Peterborough in June that year.
Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson admitted at the time the two-year deal “could be viewed as controversial”.
However, Ferguson and Mason said the player “took poor advice from his legal team” when admitting to the charge, reported the BBC.
Dundee FC bosses have not commented on Mason training with the side.