Vladimir Romanov sacks sex offender Craig Thomson

CONVICTED sex offender Craig Thomson is to leave Hearts following talks with owner Vladimir Romanov, the club has confirmed.

Thomson pleaded guilty in June to offences involving two girls, aged 12 and 14, over the internet. He was initially kept on by the club, a move that provoked outrage among fans, charities and sponsors.

However, police have since confirmed they are looking into fresh offences against the 20-year-old and yesterday the Edinburgh side announced Thomson was to leave the club with immediate effect.

In a statement on its website, the club said: "Craig Thomson will leave Heart of Midlothian Football Club imminently. The club has considered all implications surrounding the issue and has decided to find a solution for the player to leave the club over the forthcoming days."

Lothian and Borders Police said they were now looking into information passed to them by a third party. A police spokesman said: "We are making inquiries into the possibility that another person has grounds for complaint."

The club initially appeared to be standing by Thomson but was criticised by children's charities and sponsors for failing to take the matter sufficiently seriously.

Derek Watson, chairman of the Hearts Supporters Trust, said yesterday fans of the club would be relieved the matter had been resolved.

"I think the majority of people will be happy that this is over," he said. "At the end of the day the club has made the right decision - but obviously things have got to be looked at in detail and these things take time.

"It is quite right that they have taken their time and not given a knee-jerk reaction."

Mr Romanov confirmed the decision had been made once he had had the chance to meet the defender personally. Through an interpreter, he said: "Only then was I able to meet Craig Thomson and his family and we have had a discussion.

"I have reviewed all the facts of his case and understand he has done a wrong thing.

"This is a very bad example and he will not playing for the club again."

Statements originally issued by Mr Romanov and the club last month suggested Thomson had been the victim of a conspiracy and the incident was an isolated one.

However, the controversy caused deep divisions at the Edinburgh club. One of its sponsors, MacB water, pulled its support, while former defender Alan McLaren said he hoped Thomson "will not pull on a Hearts shirt again".

Thomson, from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, was convicted on 17 June at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, following his behaviour towards the two girls.

He initially resumed training and issued an apology via Hearts' website.

The decision to get rid of Thomson was yesterday welcomed by Children 1st, the child safety charity.

Its chief executive, Anne Houston, said: "Throughout this situation, Children 1st's concern - as it always is - has been for the welfare of children and ensuring that everyone takes responsibility to protect them.

"We are relieved that the club now accepts the role it must play in minimising the risk of sexual harm to children.

"This decision by Hearts sends a clear message to children and young people that they are valued and that their experiences will be taken seriously."

Claude Knights, director of the anti-bullying charity Kidscape, also welcomed the decision, saying: "This is the right reaction but it is also what should have happened in the first place. At last the club has understood the severity of the situation.

"However, it is not going to be the end of the story if Thomson is simply transferred to another club."

Last month, the mother of one of Thomson's victims said Hearts was jeopardising its reputation as a family-friendly club. Speaking anonymously to a Scottish newspaper, she said: "Hearts are not taking this seriously enough.

"As far as we are concerned, Thomson has got off with this. He needs to be sacked.

"The only thing that will teach him a lesson is if he goes. Football is all he cares about.

"Hearts are a family club and if he continues in football, he is obviously going to be around children. But who would take their kids to a game when they know he is on the pitch?

"They obviously don't want to lose him because he is a decent player and could make them money. He's meant to be a role model for kids and yet he has used his celebrity status to get at young girls."

A footballers' agent, also speaking anonymously last month, said the club would be keen to keep such a talented player: "The reason is quite simple. He's an asset to the club and is somebody they will feel they can sell for upwards of 500,000 in a year or two.

"They have invested a lot of time training him and they aren't about to discard him now.This is a financial decision, pure and simple. If he was an ordinary 20-year-old they'd be delighted to get shot of him."