Hibs star Ryan Porteous was part of a group who stole a woman’s tribute to her mum who died from dementia.
The 22-year-old defender was caught on camera as a man entered a garden to take the homemade wreath.
The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning after Porteous and pals drank in a miners’ club in Dalkeith, Midlothian.
The devastated homeowner managed to trace the memorial after she used social media and published a security camera image of Porteous and his pals.
A local contacted the woman and identified the Easter Road idol. She was also told the wreath had been dumped outside a nearby Aldi. She found it damaged and her mum’s brooch, which was placed in the centre, was missing.
It is understood the culprit asked to call the woman to apologise after she contacted Porteous on Facebook.
A source said: “It happened about 1.30am on Sunday morning.
“The woman makes a wreath every year in memory of her mum who died from Alzheimer’s disease.
“It’s upsetting that her mum’s brooch is missing. The guy who took it contacted her and apologised and said he’d deliver some flowers.”
Porteous had earlier played in Hibs’ 2-0 victory over Ross County at Easter Road.
He then headed to Dalkeith Miners Club, which is known locally as the Woodburn Club, with friends. The central defender was identified as being part of a group of men seen outside the woman’s home after she posted an image on Facebook.
She wrote: “Who is this person? He thought it OK to come into my garden ... early this morning and steal my wreath. I want it back or I’m going to report you.”
She then edited the post to say the it had been returned.
She wrote: “I’ve got it back, damaged, and my mother’s brooch missing from the centre.
“This was an Alzheimer’s wreath and that brooch can’t be replaced.
“The man who took it phoned and said sorry, so I appreciate that.”
A Hibernian spokesperson said: “We are aware of imagery that’s surfaced regarding Ryan Porteous.
“We are looking into it and will remind him of his responsibilities as a high-profile figure at Hibernian FC.”
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