A man went to the home of “social influencers” armed with a knife and hammer, demanding that an online video be removed.
Thomas Paton was angry that a video was filmed and posted with a young child in the background at a Dunfermline restaurant.
Paton, 26, of Lochtyburn Way, Ballingry, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court having earlier admitted that on March 30 at Albany Street, Dunfermline, he repeatedly shouted, swore, acted in a threatening manner, brandished a hammer and demanded entry.
He damaged the front door by repeatedly striking it with a knife and repeatedly striking tarpaulin on a roof with a knife, damaging it.
He was also unlawfully in possession of a weapon, a hammer.
Influencer refused to delete video
Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said the background to the offences was an incident in the Sweet Chestnut restaurant where Paton and others had gone for a meal.
There were also “three social media influencers” there at the time making videos.
Paton became concerned that a preschool-age child was in the background of the videos.
He asked them to delete the videos, which two female influencers did but their male companion did not.
When Paton found out the video was still online, he made inquiries and found out an address in Dunfermline, where he believed the male was.
He went there but it was only the two female who were at the house.
Paton was demanding to see the male but was told he was not there.
Paton then began striking the door with knife and was also brandishing a hammer, the court heard.
Out of character
Defence solicitor David McLaughlin said: “It’s understood that two of them have OnlyFans accounts and Mr Paton was aware of that.
“He was concerned about the (child) being in their video and that’s what was going through his head.
“As it turned out, the video may have been inoffensive but the comments added by viewers were not.
“There were vulgar references made to the child.
“This case is a perfect example of why people should not take things into their own hands. He initially contacted the police but they didn’t want to become involved.”
Mr McLaughlin said: “After work he went to the door as he thought the male lived there but that was not the case.
“Those at the property told him the male had gone back down south.
“He was acting aggressively and took the hammer from his works van as well as the knife from his pocket.
“He’s acted very poorly but it appears it was out of character. He’s a scaffolder and is a hard worker.”
Sheriff Susan Duff commented, “This must have been really frightening for those at the house.”
She told Paton, “You lost your temper but I accept this was out of character for you.”
She imposed a community payback order with 100 hours of unpaid work.
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