Man given community payback order after innocent 70-year-old targeted by protest in Glasgow

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.

Police confirmed a case of mistaken identity after the home of an innocent person was targeted by protesters in Cumbernauld.

Cameron Thomson, from Airdrie, was sentenced at Airdrie Sheriff Court on Wednesday and placed on a two-year community payback order.

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

The court heard how the 22-year-old posted the name and address of a 70-year-old man he wrongly believed to be a registered sex offender on social media in April this year.

The following day, Thomson travelled to the property with between 50 and 70 people who had engaged with the post online.

He repeatedly banged on the front door and shouted abuse. Police were called to the scene and established that the man had been misidentified.

Officers informed Thomson that the allegations were unfounded, but he continued the confrontation and livestreamed the incident online.

Thomson was arrested and later pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared in court in August.

As part of his sentence, Thomson is banned from livestreaming events, helping others to do so, and from organising or taking part in protests that involve approaching or confronting individuals.

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.”