Fed-up neighbour took axe to confront East Lothian paedophile protesters
Gary Shaw grabbed the sharp work tool from his back garden and ran out into the street to challenge the large group of locals who had congregated outside the home of a child sex offender.
Shaw, 38, was wearing just his underwear when he was spotted in the street in possession of the axe in Prestonpans, East Lothian, on September 16 this year.
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Hide AdPolice officers were on patrol during the peaceful protest and immediately collared Shaw while he was still carrying the bladed weapon.
Locals were protesting against John Boyd, 54 who admitted sexually assaulting a ten-year-old girl at Edinburgh Sheriff Court the day previously.
Boyd, who is due to be sentenced next week, was forced to move home over the protests and the windows of his house are currently boarded up.
Shaw, who lives opposite Boyd’s home at the town’s Drummore Drive, admitted to possessing the axe.
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Hide AdFiscal Sarah Quinn told the court there were around 40 protestors, including children, outside Boyd’s home when Shaw out ran into the street carrying the axe.
Ms Quinn said: “He appeared from a doorway in a pair of boxer shorts and in possession of the axe in his left hand.
“He approached the protestors and was described as agitated.”
Shaw was arrested and after he was later charged with possession an offensive weapon he told officers “It was to get rid of the c**ts in my street”.
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Hide AdSolicitor Gillian Koren said her client had been having problems with anxiety and had been self-medicating with products he had bought online.
Ms Koren added Shaw had become angry at the protests which had been going for “a number of days” before he eventually snapped and approached the crowd with the axe.
The brief said the protestors “were all known to him” and he had “no real recollection of events”.
Sheriff Wendy Sheehan told Shaw: “Having a weapon in a fairly volatile situation is a serious matter.”
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Hide AdShaw was placed on a community payback order and told he must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in the community.
Shaw admitted to possessing an offensive weapon on September 16 this year.