Child abuse activist who led protest outside home of innocent man sentenced

A man who organised a group to target the home of an innocent person with a protest in Glasgow has been given a community payback order.

Cameron Thomson posted the name and address details of who he believed to be a Registered Sex Offender on social media in April 2026.

The 22-year-old attended the property in Cumbernauld the following day, along with a group of between 50 and 70 others who had engaged with the social media post.

Thomson banged on the front door and shouted abuse at the man, calling him a “paedophile” and “beast”. The victim was forced to phone the police from inside.

Police confirmed a case of mistaken identity and that the man was not a sex offender and has had no allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

Thomson continued the confrontation and livestreamed the incident online despite being told that the allegations were unfounded.

The ordeal meant the man had to move out of his house permanently.

Thomson, from Airdrie, was sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid work and a 15-year non-harassment order against the 70-year-old victim on Wednesday at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

He was also ordered to comply with a 15-year non-harassment order protecting the victim.

Detective chief inspector Gordon Smith said: “Cameron Thomson misidentified and harassed an innocent man. He wanted to take the law into his own hands and believed he was protecting the local community by doing so.

“I ask people to think carefully about what they read online. We know that local residents can be concerned about who lives in their local area, but harassment, violence, disorder and threatening behaviour that puts people at risk, are simply not acceptable.

“Registered sex offenders are managed robustly and effectively through Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements, known as MAPPA. These arrangements provide a comprehensive response to a complex issue, using professional assessment and risk management.

“‘Outing’ registered sex offenders on social media or physically confronting them significantly affects the ability of police and partners to manage risk effectively. It also undermines the measures already in place to protect the public.

“The conditions imposed recognise the alarm that was caused by Thomson’s conduct and the impact that has on the whole community.”