Police ScotlandA former Scots footballer guilty of 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.
A number of electronic devices he had were seized – and police uncovered a 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.
Heddle – a former midfielder for St Johnstone and Dunfermline in the 1980s and 90s – was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday.
He had pleaded 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 to 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 at 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 the iPhone, a 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.”
Ms Brown said there was a total of 272,936 photos as well as 4,001 clips.
He initially appeared in court in connection with that, bailed, had his passport seized and ordered to remain in Scotland.
Ms 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.
Ms 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, Fife in September 2023 where he had been working as a road sweeper.
Ms 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 Heddle’s last address as Lochgelly in Fife.
His KC Brian McConnachie said Heddle had a “willingness to seek treatment” for his 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 said: “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.
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