Ian Hart, a 37-year-old football referee from Glasgow, has pleaded guilty to taking or permitting to be taken indecent images of children. The plea was entered at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, October 26, and he is due to be sentenced at the same court on Friday, November 6.
Hart, who officiated as an assistant referee in Scottish Championship matches involving clubs such as Partick Thistle, Dundee, Dundee United, Ayr United and Dunfermline Athletic, was arrested by police at his workplace in Blantyre, Lanarkshire.
Offences against a teenager
Between December 2024 and June 2025, Hart preyed on a youngster aged between 13 and 14 at a property in South Lanarkshire. Police checked his phone in June 2025 and discovered images of a teenage girl naked as she changed in her bedroom. The court heard the youngster had no knowledge of Hart taking the photos.
A female witness, who had previously caught Hart with photos of unidentified women's buttocks, including one of a nursery staff member, spotted him looking in a teenage girl's wardrobe while viewing a house in 2025.
Devices seized and images found
Following a search of his home, investigators seized multiple electronic devices and uncovered nine still and moving images of the child. They also recovered images of the female witness in the shower, which she was unaware had been taken, and another sexual image involving the same woman. A further 65 "voyeuristic" images of fully clothed women from behind were discovered.
Hart pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, two charges of voyeurism, and taking or permitting to be taken indecent images of children. He has been placed on the sex offenders register.
Removed from refereeing duties
Hart was a Category 3 referee, restricted to assistant refereeing duties in the Scottish Championship and leagues below, with permitted appointments including certain rounds of the Scottish Cup, SWPL 1 and 2, the SWFL Championship and SPFL Development Leagues.
The Scottish FA confirmed Hart was removed from active refereeing duties with his relevant association after being made aware of the allegations on October 24. A Scottish FA spokesperson said: "In consultation with the relevant Referee Association, we can confirm the match official was removed from the list of active referees as soon as we became aware of the allegations. Now he has been convicted we can confirm he will remain de-listed and not be eligible to referee in line with our zero tolerance policy."
