A PRESTONPANS man was arrested while in possession of an axe as locals protested outside the home of a convicted child sex offender.

Gary Shaw was spotted by police officers with the offensive weapon after the large group had gathered outside the home of John Boyd at the town’s Drummore Drive on Wednesday, September 16.

The 38-year-old was picked up by police and spent the night in custody before appearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court the following day.

Shaw, of Drummore Avenue, pleaded guilty to the offence and sentence was deferred on him for social work reports to be prepared later this month.

Following last week’s protest Boyd – who has two previous convictions for similar offending against children – was then forced to move from the home and the property has since been boarded up.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were called around 7.10pm on Wednesday, September 16, to a report of a disturbance in Prestonpans.

“A 38-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the incident and was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.”

Boyd pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the schoolgirl at her home last August when he appeared in the dock at the city court.

The HGV driver sent the girl WhatsApp messages and texts declaring his love for her and telling her she was “beautiful” over the course of a month last year.

He also told the girl he wanted to take her on dates to the cinema and wanted her to pretend she was his girlfriend.

He is due to return to court for sentencing on October 23.