A PAEDOPHILE hunter was ordered to do unpaid work after he admitted abducting a suspected beast during a dramatic car chase.
Alex Cairnie found himself in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court after he was involved in the live-streamed sting that ended with a man being held against his will.
Cairnie and his Spartan Child Protection group had approached the suspect in April, 2023, after parents of a child raised the alarm over fears she was being preyed upon.
The man they had cornered was arrested by police who attended the incident which began in Galston, Ayrshire, and ended in Eaglesham, near Glasgow.
But Cairnie, 47, of Aviemore, was also later nicked and charged with abduction and robbery.
He later admitted restraining the man – who can’t be named for legal reasons – by “standing on his wrists and detaining him against his will”.
Cairnie also pleaded guilty to seizing the man’s wallet as he waited for cops to arrive near Carrot Farm.
He further admitted pursuing a motor vehicle being driven by the suspect.
Court paperwork states Cairnie drove at speed “with no consideration for pedestrians and with utter disregard of the consequences”.
David Nicholson, defending, initially asked Sheriff Brian Mohan to consider adjourning the sentencing over concerns a socialwork report was based on elements of the original allegations later dropped by prosecutors.
But Sheriff Mohan refused, saying Cairnie and his group – many of whom were there in support – had been “running about like cowboys” and he did not wish to draw the matter out to “more of a circus than it already is”.
Mr Nicholson went on to say his client accepted his guilt but urged the court to take into account the “limited extent of the detention” and Cairnie’s “good intention.”
He was also at pains to point out Cairnie had helped cops many times in the past with evidence in the prosecutions of paedophiles.
But on this occasion, Mr Nicholson said: “Mr Cairnie’s intentions were well-founded. Police regularly rely on evidence that is provided by such parties to pursue lawful prosecutions.”
Sherif Mohan said: “I do accept the intention was well-motivated and genuine.”
He also noted the individual detained was arrested and “a real child was involved”.
But he added: “The problem that we have is the risk that his well-motivated action knows no boundaries.”
He imposed a community payback order comprising 120 hours unpaid work, adding: “I won’t fix any review that draws a line under the matter.”
As Cairnie left the court building he was cheered and applauded by supporters.
