Vandals target Da Vinci rapist’s home

The vandalism came as defiant protesters warned Midlothian Council they were preparing to continue their campaign throughout the winter, just hours after they brought Dalkeith to a standstill.

The first incident took place on Friday night as two top 
windowpanes were smashed on the property; wooden boards were then erected on Saturday morning.

The second incident, in which the bottom two panes were broken, took place as hundreds of protestors demonstrated outside Midlothian Council offices yesterday.

Earlier that day more than 50 protestors in cars drove around the town centre at a snail’s pace for two hours.

A police spokesman said: “Lothian and Borders Police are investigating after windows of a property in Midlothian were smashed on two occasions. The first incident happened sometime overnight between Friday 20 and Saturday, July 21, while the second incident was reported at around 2.30pm on Monday, July 23.

“Anyone who can assist with our inquiries is asked to come forward.”

In an effort to show that they are in no way wavering in their campaign, protesters have spoken about how they are getting ready to dig in for winter.

Protest leader Kelly Parry said: “We have exclusive use of the farmland across from his property so we are looking into erecting a semi-permanent site with patio heaters.

“We are prepared to continue throughout the winter if we have to. The only person that will be moving is him, we are not going anywhere.”

Asked about the protesters’ decision to bring the traffic in Dalkeith to a virtual standstill, Ms Parry added: “It was a phenomenal success and we have no qualms about doing it again, we’ll make it a regular occurrence if we 
have to.

“As we drove past, Dalkeith shopkeepers and business owners were out on the street cheering us on. They understand that his presence is no good for Midlothian. Midlothian Council and MAPPA are seriously underestimating the level of anger in the community against his rehousing.”

An online group Get Robert Greens Out of Midlothian has so far attracted more than 14,000 members from across the world.

When asked for a reaction to yesterday’s protest, a MAPPA spokesman said: “Robert Greens is from Midlothian and as such local agencies have the responsibility by law to manage him on his release from prison. Extensive research and reviews by experts have shown clearly that provision of stable housing, access to support networks and effective monitoring are key ways to minimising the risks posed by sex offenders.”

Greens was jailed for ten years in 2006 for the brutal rape of a 19-year-old Dutch student near Rosslyn Chapel.