Residents within a Midlothian community have once again turned out to protest Da Vinci rapist Robert Greens being housed in their neighbourhood.
Last week it was reported how the brutal sex attacker was housed within an estate in Danderhall and residents, as well as local councillors, had called for him to be removed from the community.
The Record reports how on Tuesday night, locals turned up to once again affirm their stance on Greens living among them, with many having young children. They also recently reported how mother-of-two Daniella Quin doesn't feel safe in her own home due to projectiles missing Greens' windows and damaging her property.
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Robert Greens, 44, was nicknamed the Da Vinci rapist after brutally raping and beating a Dutch student near Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian in 2005. The 19-year-old woman suffered such severe injuries, medics initially thought they had been caused by a car crash.
The victim was held at knifepoint during the terrifying ordeal, which saw Greens jailed for 10 years. However, now the rapist - whom locals believe is a high risk to reoffend - has been housed amongst a community filled with families, who are terrified of the abuser.
Locals in Neatoune Court have now staged various protests since Greens was housed in the estate last week. On Tuesday night, people turned up with banners and sang songs to vent their anger. Among the chants were calls of "Robert Greens, sex offender"; "we shall not be moved" and "what do we want? Rob Greens out... When do we want it? Now."
Dad-of-two Tim Fitchett, who lives in Midlothian, was among the group at the scene, as a 'rapist scum get oot' sign was pinned to Greens door.
Speaking to the Record, Tim said: "There was a good turn out of around 20 or 30 people. The police turned up to make sure there was no public disorder - but this is a peaceful protest. We have very serious concerns about him living anywhere in Midlothian - not just Danderhall.
"We are not going to give up until he is moved out of Midlothian. It is disgusting that he has been placed here.
"This man has been convicted of what has been described by the judge who sentenced him as 'the worst sex crime that has been brought to court in Scottish history'. If that is the case, then surely someone with any common sense would realise that maybe he shouldn't be placed back in an area where he has lived - an area that he knows well.
"We have got serious concerns about what could potentially happen to someone in our community."
In relation to Daniella Quin's comments and fears over items being launched at her windows, Tim added: "We just want to make it very clear that if there has been any vandalism or anything thrown, it has not been done by anyone related to this protest group. We are not thugs.
"We are all very peaceful people and this is a peaceful protest. We are just here singing songs, nothing violent. We have made it very clear to the police that we are here for the long haul and we will continue to come down here until he is moved. We are going to make sure our voice is heard and we will be down here every single day."
Greens was freed from prison in 2012, having served two-thirds of his sentence. The following year, he was returned to jail after he broke one of the conditions of his release by visiting the hometown of his former wife. He was again released in 2017 but hauled back to prison after another breach.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Police were made aware of a gathering outside a property in Neatoune Court, Danderhall, around 6.30pm on Tuesday, October 11. Officers are in attendance."
A Midlothian Council spokesman said: "We do not comment on individual cases. Public safety is of paramount importance and, where appropriate, we work with our partners to ensure that there are robust processes and procedures in place."
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