His name is Craig Thomson, he plays for Newtongrange

[MJN1875]

Sorry to bring up such a controversial subject, but can I just ask anyone in the know,

Why and how was this allowed to happen? Total disgrace that he's even allowed to play at any level. I mean seriously if you played with him, how could you?

And surely he's a serious target for those in other teams?

[hibeemikey21]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Sorry to bring up such a controversial subject, but can I just ask anyone in the know,

Why and how was this allowed to happen? Total disgrace that he's even allowed to play at any level. I mean seriously if you played with him, how could you?

And surely he's a serious target for those in other teams?

Been playing with the juniors for a while now.

Excuse the pun.

[JDT]

Thomson's been playing juniors for about 3 years now. He's a sitting midfielder more often than not but I've seen him play elsewhere and he's the gobbiest wee sh##e you've ever seen. As much as i hate to admit it there is a footballer in there and it wouldn't surprise me if a Berwick Rangers (who've got history for signing junior players) took a closer look at him. It would all depend if the team in question could take the bad publicity that goes with signing him.

[andyf5]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Why and how was this allowed to happen? Total disgrace that he's even allowed to play at any level. I mean seriously if you played with him, how could you?

Better using his energy playing football than something else. He will be known for the rest of his life for his crime.

[theonlywayisup]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Sorry to bring up such a controversial subject, but can I just ask anyone in the know,

Why and how was this allowed to happen? Total disgrace that he's even allowed to play at any level. I mean seriously if you played with him, how could you?

And surely he's a serious target for those in other teams?

The guy made a serious mistake, I'm not denying that. But in life, we should always try give people a second chance to correct for these mistakes, no matter how hard that can be.

I don't know Craig Thomson, I don't really know what he did and I'm not trying to defend his past actions. However, I hope he has learnt from his mistake. I also hope that people let him get on with his life, assuming what he is doing is lawful and legal.

[Stax]

Never been more confused reading a thread till I realised we're not talking about a referee

[Smartie]

I don't think that in playing football for Newtongrange he represents a danger to kids.

He made a dreadful mistake and has had to pay a heavy price for it. What he did was totally wrong and as a result there are things that he should never be able to do again.

But he needs to be left alone to rehabilitate and get on with his life and he should be allowed to play for his team in peace.

[norhfc]

Was at a Newtongrange v Kelty Hearts game recently. The Kelty fans where pretty brutal with Thomson, singing pedo when he was on the ball. Saying that they where pretty brutal in general with maroon scarfs and drinking Bucky from the bottle.

[Itsnoteasy]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

The guy made a serious mistake, I'm not denying that. But in life, we should always try give people a second chance to correct for these mistakes, no matter how hard that can be.

I don't know Craig Thomson, I don't really know what he did and I'm not trying to defend his past actions. However, I hope he has learnt from his mistake. I also hope that people let him get on with his life, assuming what he is doing is lawful and legal.

I take it you don't have kids. Would you be saying the same if it was your kids that were involved. Don't think soike that should have their nuts ripped off.
Deserves every bit of abuse that comes his way.

[Forza Fred]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

The guy made a serious mistake, I'm not denying that. But in life, we should always try give people a second chance to correct for these mistakes, no matter how hard that can be.

I don't know Craig Thomson, I don't really know what he did and I'm not trying to defend his past actions. However, I hope he has learnt from his mistake. I also hope that people let him get on with his life, assuming what he is doing is lawful and legal.

Some will vehemently disagree with you, and would hang him from the nearest Sighthill lamppost.

However you are right when you said he made a mistake...one that has changed his life forever, and not for the better.

He deserves that, but I don't get any pleasure bringing his name up and gloating about how sad he is.

Leave him to his lonely, dustbin existence I say...I'm quite happy if I never hear of him again.

[MJN1875]

Na, a mistake isn't trying to have sex with 12 year olds that you know are 12!

Oh whoops I didn't mean I send a 12 yr old that message just a mistake???

Behave. That's obv his sexual preference and that will never change just as someone who is straight or gays preference will never change.

He's clearly a massive danger to children, and should have restrictions on being anywhere near a child for the rest of his life.

Shame on Newtongrange for even considering this never mind signing him. Whoever made that decision is clearly a weirdo.

And glad to hear he was getting abuse at that game, long may it continue.

I would have left if I played for a team who signed a sex offender.

But how anyone could say he deserves a second chance I will never know.

[HappyHanlon]

Once a beast, always a beast

[MJN1875]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Once a beast, always a beast

Couldn't agree more.

How any of his team mates can even play with him never mind talk to him or share a changing room with him I will never know.

Is it just because he's not your typical looking nonce and he's an ex footballer he gets away with this?

[Bostonhibby]

I don't get the mistake angle myself at all. To do what he did required quite a bit of deliberate decision making. Maybe getting caught would be his personal "mistake" I don't care if I never hear about him again but can understand why some might not let him forget, and this type of offender tends to need watching.

[scoopyboy]

I don't understand why he even bothers playing football, he's bound to realise he's going to get abuse every week.

Deserved abuse I may add.

[Cabbage East]

Just read the details as I couldn't remember the specifics as it was a while ago now. This wasn't a mistake or a one off, it related to three different girls. One was 12.

Grim stuff.

[ScottB]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I don't understand why he even bothers playing football, he's bound to realise he's going to get abuse every week.

Deserved abuse I may add.

More to the point why any club, at any level would seek to expose themselves to the abuse that will come to him, and them by association.

Not that they would, but I'd imagine Easter Road would be a ghost town if we ever signed a player who had committed his crimes. I struggle to see any benefit, even if he would be considered a pretty good player at the level Newtongrange are at.

[MJN1875]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Just read the details as I couldn't remember the specifics as it was a while ago now. This wasn't a mistake or a one off, it related to three different girls. One was 12.

Grim stuff.

Exactly my point. No mistake made here, he knew the girls and their profiles clearly stated there age.
He set out to have sex with girls who were under 13 never mind under 16, he's a proper 100% nonce.
The only difference with him and Gary glitter is he was caught before he met the girls.
I'd really like to hear from a player at Newton grange and hear their opinion on the situation. I'd like to think they all hate him.

[Pete]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Once a beast, always a beast

Has that been scientifically proven or is it just something people say?

[hibeemikey21]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Thomson's been playing juniors for about 3 years now. He's a sitting midfielder more often than not but I've seen him play elsewhere and he's the gobbiest wee sh##e you've ever seen. As much as i hate to admit it there is a footballer in there and it wouldn't surprise me if a Berwick Rangers (who've got history for signing junior players) took a closer look at him. It would all depend if the team in question could take the bad publicity that goes with signing him.

Can't believe he's a mouthpiece. You'd have thought someone in his position would be best advised to keep his head down and mouth shut.

[MJN1875]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Has that been scientifically proven or is it just something people say?

Scientifically proven mate.

No cure for being a nonce just as there is no cure for being straight gay or bi.

[theonlywayisup]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I take it you don't have kids. Would you be saying the same if it was your kids that were involved. Don't think soike that should have their nuts ripped off.
Deserves every bit of abuse that comes his way.

Three kids actually. And if it was my kids, I wouldn't be saying what I've said.

However, our justice system in this country is designed to give everyone (apart from a few extreme cases) a second chance. That's all I'm saying.

As Forza Fred said "Leave him to his lonely, dustbin existence I say...I'm quite happy if I never hear of him again." I agree with that!

[MJN1875]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Three kids actually. And if it was my kids, I wouldn't be saying what I've said.

However, our justice system in this country is designed to give everyone (apart from a few extreme cases) a second chance. That's all I'm saying.

As Forza Fred said "Leave him to his lonely, dustbin existence I say...I'm quite happy if I never hear of him again." I agree with that!

Your missing the point, a second chance shouldn't be given to people like this. He's a disgusting person and a complete beast. He's a danger to children and still to this day shouldn't be walking the streets.

[H18 SFR]

Always a tricky situation, do we look to reintegrate convicted sex offenders into society or find an alternative?

If if we chose to support offenders in order to reduce the risk of reoffending then allowing them to work, socialise and play team sports is important. I'm sure somewhere down the line he has discussed his conviction with his team mates and they're looking to support him and help him to reflect on the shocking choices he made.

Is is he a convicted sex offender? Yes! Can he and should he still contribute to society? Yes!

[MJN1875]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Always a tricky situation, do we look to reintegrate convicted sex offenders into society or find an alternative?

If if we chose to support offenders in order to reduce the risk of reoffending then allowing them to work, socialise and play team sports is important. I'm sure somewhere down the line he has discussed his conviction with his team mates and they're looking to support him and help him to reflect on the shocking choices he made.

Is is he a convicted sex offender? Yes! Can he and should he still contribute to society? Yes!

Does he still look st 12 year old girls and find them sexually attractive?

Yes.

Should someone like that be allowed to walk the streets and play for a football team that probably has 12 year old girls watching?

No.

[cabbageandribs1875]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Does he still look st 12 year old girls and find them sexually attractive?

Yes.

Should someone like that be allowed to walk the streets and play for a football team that probably has 12 year old girls watching?

No.

how do you know this ?

[Future17]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Does he still look st 12 year old girls and find them sexually attractive?

Yes.

Should someone like that be allowed to walk the streets and play for a football team that probably has 12 year old girls watching?

No.

You've made quite a few assumptions and generalisations on this thread. I know it's an emotive subject, but stating things as facts when you simply don't have that knowledge is unhelpful IMO.

Are you of the opinion that there can be no rehabilitation for anyone who has committed a crime, or is it just certain crimes? If it's just certain crimes, which ones would be acceptable for a Junior player to have committed?

[CropleyWasGod]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Scientifically proven mate.

No cure for being a nonce just as there is no cure for being straight gay or bi.

No cure for being straight, gay or bi? :)

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[Scouse Hibee]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Scientifically proven mate.

No cure for being a nonce just as there is no cure for being straight gay or bi.

Why would there be a cure for being straight, gay or bi? They are not an illness, you sound like a dinosaur with comments like that.

[H18 SFR]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Does he still look st 12 year old girls and find them sexually attractive?

Yes.

Should someone like that be allowed to walk the streets and play for a football team that probably has 12 year old girls watching?

No.

I'm not quite sure this is definitely the case. Often in these types of cases there is much more than meets the eye. As part of his punishment he would have engaged with professionals to reflect upon his behaviour and choices. This often acts as a stimulus leading towards remorse and full understanding of one's actions.

What at would you rather happens in these cases?