Man admits sex act with 14-year-old in Tynecastle stadium

Ian Freeman, 20, also sent a series of lewd text messages and an indecent photograph of himself to the youngster's mobile phone.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, he also admitted having unlawful sexual intercourse with the girl in public toilets on Gorgie Road.

The offences only came to light when the teenager fell out with her brother and he retaliated by showing their parents the images on her phone.

Fiscal Depute Ross Mackay told Sheriff James Scott that the couple began exchanging messages and photographs after meeting on a Hearts website.

They arranged to meet at a match in November 2006, but did not speak as she was with her family. Mr Mackay said the messages then became more frequent, before Freeman wrote a letter declaring his love for her in March last year. The offences at Tynecastle took place during a friendly match last April, and on further occasions in the Gorgie Road toilets.

On June 15, Freeman called the girl and asked if "they could take the relationship to the next level", said Mr Mackay. The following day they had intercourse in the public toilets.

The Fiscal said the girl's parents went to police after seeing the images. Freeman, of Airdrie, fully admitted the relationship and that he was aware of the girl's age.

Sheriff Scott deferred sentence until March for reports, and ordered Freeman to register as a sex offender. He was allowed bail.