Hearts lose sponsor for retaining sex offender Thomson

FOOTBALL

HEART OF Midlothians decision to retain the services of CraigThomson, who was convicted this month of "lewd, libidinous andindecent behaviour", has cost the club one of its sponsors.

Hearts allowed the 20-year-old full-back (below) to resume hiscareer with them after he pleaded guilty, was fined and placed onthe sex offenders register in relation to his inappropriate conducttowards two under-age girls over the internet.

Now MacB Water has announced that it has withdrawn its support asofficial water sponsor of the Jambos, a deal worth more than 5,000.

A MacB spokeswoman said: "As a company with strong family values,we are left with no choice but to terminate our relationship withthe Hearts Football Club.

"Along with countless others, fans and co-sponsors alike, we areextremely disappointed with the club's handling of this situationand as a result can no longer continue our support."

A spokesman for Hearts said the club had no comment to make onthe withdrawal of the sponsorship agreement.