Ian Heddle (born 21 March 1963) is a Scottish former footballer, who played for Dunfermline Athletic, St Johnstone, Forfar Athletic and Brechin City in the Scottish Football League.[1] He also had a brief stint with Newcastle Breakers in the Australian National Soccer League.[2]

Ian Heddle
Personal information
Date of birth (1963-03-21) 21 March 1963 (age 61)
Place of birth Dunfermline, Scotland
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Dunfermline Railway
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1983−1987 Dunfermline Athletic 41 (6)
1987−1991 St Johnstone 138 (18)
1991−1992 Newcastle Breakers 26 (0)
1992−1996 Forfar Athletic 115 (15)
1996−1998 Brechin City 33 (1)
Kelty Hearts
Total 353 (40)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Sexual offences

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In June 2024, Heddle pled guilty to the sexual assault of a child in Thailand and possession of over 270,000 indecent images of children. Police found videos of Heddle abusing a child while on a trip to Thailand in 2019, which led to his arrest. Heddle was initially charged for the possession of the indecent images at Edinburgh Airport in 2023. During the investigation, police also uncovered evidence of "contact offending" involving Heddle and an unknown young female.[3]

On 30 July 2024, Heddle was given a six-year extended sentence, with four years in custody and two years on licence once released back into the community. He was also placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Ian Heddle at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
  2. ^ "Hawke to Herdle". Aussie Footballers. OzFootball.
  3. ^ "Former footballer Ian Heddle pleads guilty to child sex offences". BBC News. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Ian Heddle: Ex-Scottish footballer jailed for sexually abusing girl in Thailand". Sky News. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.