Edinburgh crime: Fury as Tranent Juniors backs former Hibs defender Jordon Forster after abuse

The former Hibs defender admitted carrying out a campaign of abuse against his former partner

Football chiefs have sparked fury after backing a player who was convicted of domestic abuse charges this week.

Jordon Forster, 29, admitted waging a seven month campaign of abuse against former partner Alicia Dyet when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this week. The former Hibernian defender repeatedly turned up at the home and workplace of girlfriend Alicia Dyet and demanded access to her phone without permission. Forster - who played 79 times for the Easter Road Club - also shouted, swore and called Ms Dyet derogatory names during the seven months of domestic abuse.

The 6ft 2 defender also admitted to causing the woman fear and alarm by acting aggressively towards her on several occasions during their relationship between May and December last year. Sentence on Forster, of Gorebridge, Midlothian, was deferred to next month for social work reports to be prepared.

Former Hibs player Jordon Forster outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court

Now bosses at the player’s current club Tranent Juniors have issued a statement in support of the player. The club statement released on Wednesday evening reads: “Tranent Football Club acknowledge the decision of our current player, Jordon Forster, to plead guilty to an amended domestic abuse charge at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.

“Whilst we deplore any and all forms of domestic abuse, we also believe in the value of rehabilitation. Jordon has shown nothing but remorse as well as a willingness to correct his actions and as a club, taking into account the thoughts and opinions of our management, committee, sponsors, colts and our supporters, we are encouraging and assisting Jordon with his reformation.”

But the move by the East Lothian-based Lowland League club has been slammed by angry fans who claim they are setting a “disgraceful example” for backing the player. One woman said: “What a disgrace, as a survivor of domestic violence myself, what message does this send to the victims?” A second fan posted: “Some message to send to any woman [or] girl affiliated with the club.”

And a third added: “How can any women feel safe around your club? How can you call yourself a community club and what example is this setting to kids who want to watch football?”

Earlier this week the court was told Ms Dyet is in favour of a non-harassment order which would ban Forster from contacting or approaching her over the course of the order. The Crown said it will be preparing a written narrative into the circumstances which will be read out at the sentencing hearing next month.

Court papers state Forster caused damage to a door and a wall at his home and on one occasion he seized Ms Dyet by the arm, restrained her and threw her on a bed. The shamed footballer also pushed the 30-year-old woman on the body and carried her up a set of stairs at his property.

He had not guilty pleas accepted by the Crown to biting Ms Dyet on the body, repeatedly seizing her on the body and throwing her against a wall and onto a bed. Forster’s not guilty plea to throwing a shoe at the woman on one occasion during the period of abuse was also accepted by the Crown.