The Raith Rovers footballer, who has been in the news recently, is a rather interesting case, for a number of reasons.

He was never tried in a criminal court, and presumably that means he is not subject to the SO Act of 2003? That would mean, he does not have to register with the police, he can go abroad, without being harassed by immigration, and he does not have to endure the ritual humiliation, of having the police invade his home and question him, every few months.

I wonder if he is subject to an SHPO, because they can be imposed, even if somebody has not been convicted, provided the police can show he is a risk to the public. When you consider, that he does have several other criminal convictions, for assault, then that would potentially make him a high risk offender, in the eyes of a PPU.

The other odd thing, is that he was playing football for Clyde FC, until very recently, and nobody seemed to mind. It was only when he moved to Raith, that people suddenly noticed that an SO was playing football and got upset about it.

When Clyde FC signed him, they were aware of his past and they argued that he should be given a second chance. This was accepted by most people, at the time. So, what has changed? He has not reoffended. He does not appear to be a risk to the public. Is he really just a victim of bad publicity?

On the other hand, he has never served a sentence of any sort, for what he did. He has paid compensation to his victim, but that is all and he maintains his innocence.

Some intriguing questions spring to mind. Has he been 'punished' enough? Does he deserve a second chance? Should he be subject to the same restrictions on his life, that an SO convicted in a criminal court, has to put up with? Does it make a difference, that he is in a high profile occupation, by being a footballer, and not just an 'ordinary' SO?