A convicted rapist was in hiding last night after he was forced to flee his Highland home following a doorstep protest by around 70 residents.
John Locke was given a police escort from his property after neighbours mounted a “silent protest” in Sluggans Drive, Aviemore.
It is understood he then went to another Highland town but has since left after a smaller group of residents found his new address.
Community leaders last night called for calm but urged police to take on board concerns surrounding Mr Locke’s return.
Neighbours of Mr Locke in Aviemore first became aware of his presence after he was dropped off at the property in a prison van during home visits towards the end of his sentence.
Mr Locke, originally from Inverness, was jailed in 1998 for the rape of a 15-year-old girl in the city and has two previous convictions for rapes in the central belt in 1983 and 1988.
His identity was discovered over the weekend by his neighbours in Aviemore.
Near neighbour and mum-of-two Natacha Flamand, 25, said: “Alarm bells started ringing at the fact that somebody had moved in next door who had been released from prison.
“One of the neighbours went to the door on Sunday night and asked: ‘Are you John Locke? Are you the rapist?'”
“He said ‘Yes, he was a rapist’.”
Within hours around 70 people had gathered and police arrived shortly afterwards.
Units were drafted in from Inverness and the surrounding area, including a dog handler, to deal with the growing crowd.
It is understood that one man was arrested for breach of the peace.
Aviemore neighbour Sam Wilson, 27, said “We saw the vans and thought it was unusual. Someone said that it was prison home visits but we didn’t know who it was living there.”
Neighbours said the protest was peaceful, but some abuse was shouted when police officers escorted Mr Locke from the house and eggs thrown at his window.
Mrs Wilson added: “I understand that he was to live somewhere but this is not the right place. Mostly it’s families with young children.
“There’s a lot of women who are home on their own a lot of the time, it’s just not the right place. I don’t think that common sense was used at all.”
Councillor Bill Lobban, Aviemore said: “Over the last few days the local community of Aviemore has been justifiably concerned specifically in respect to the safety of women and children living in the area.
“The unprecedented scenes locally over the last few days are testimony to the strong feelings of the community and while I am unable to comment regarding the incidents that have occurred I feel it is imperative that all agencies involved including the police, Highland Council and others take on board and react positively to those community concerns.
“The safety of the public must be our top priority.
“Now that the perceived threat would appear to have been removed I would appeal for calm and will offer to represent the community in expressing our concerns to the various authorities involved.”
A police spokeswoman said: “At approximately 7.30pm hours on Sunday, police were alerted to a crowd in Sluggan Drive, Aviemore. Around 70 were in attendance and left the area peacefully in due course.
“Following the incident, a 61-year-old man has been reported to the fiscal and will appear at Inverness Sheriff Court at a later date.”
She added that they do not discuss individual cases involving Registered Sex Offenders, but added: “If anyone has any concerns about neighbours or members of the community
then they should contact the police.