A Tory councillor finds himself at the center of controversy after allegedly destroying the much-loved hedge of an autistic neighbour. Gavin Scott, 69, who is a representative for South Ayrshire, has been charged with vandalism.
Dorothy Welsh, 58, was left devastated after she saw what had happened to her garden. She claimed that despite pleading with Gavin to leave her garden alone, he refused to desist.
When asked about the incident, Scott seemed unbothered. He claimed that the police would not take any further action, expressing with confidence that the case would soon be closed.
However, officers have since confirmed that a report about the incident will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.
In an emotional statement, Dorothy shared her distress. She revealed she felt nervous, particularly due to her autism.
She explained: “When he began altering my hedge, I asked him about his intentions. I made it clear that as the owner of the property, I did not consent to him touching or removing my hedge.” Despite her objections, she saw him removing her hedge again the following day. She then decided to film the act and prepare a statement for the police.
Dorothy, who rarely ventures out of her home and finds joy in gardening, expressed that her garden is “all she has”.
Scott, however, refutes any wrongdoing. He insists the hedge was on council property, and therefore, he was entitled to prune it. He further commented, “I’ve purchased a new car and plan to use my garden as a driveway.”
Dorothy’s friend, David Russell, lodged a complaint on her behalf to both the South Ayrshire council and the Conservative party. However, they’re still awaiting a response.
A spokesperson for the local police confirmed the matter. “On Wednesday, 22 May, 2024, we received a report of vandalism in the Carrick Road area of Girvan. A 69-year-old man was charged in connection with the incident. A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”
The South Ayrshire Council had a similar response, with a spokesperson noting: “We are aware of the situation and we are following due process.”
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