The bravery of a team of police officers who rescued a stolen baby from a notorious West Lothian drugs den has been recognised at an awards ceremony.
The officers fought off aggressive drug users and a dangerous dog.
PCs Aidan McAllister, Graeme Alasdair Sewell and Kyle Whitlaw responded to reports of an intoxicated male wandering late at night while holding a baby in Fauldhouse last September.
It emerged he had snuck into the home of an ex-partner, removed the baby and taken it to a property popular among local drug users.
The team arrived knowing there would be trouble, as the owner had “an obsession with firearms and knives”, a dangerous dog was registered at the property, and shouting and banging could be heard from outside.
However, rescuing the baby was the priority.
An aggressive male answered the door, accompanied by a large Alsatian, and attempted to stop the officers from entering.
But the PCs forced their way past and found the crying baby, who was inside the “pitch black” house which was strewn with knives, bats and other weapons.
After they took the child to safety, the suspect became aggressive and two of the officers were injured in the struggle while other drug users watched on.
He was subsequently charged with a range of crimes, and the baby was returned to its mother.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
