Paisley naked man refused tag as he ‘likes to go to the bingo’

Robert Taylor appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court with co-accused Douglas Blackburn. 

The pair had previously admitted that between January 1, 2022 and November 7, 2025, at a block of flats in Paisley’s Brodie Park, they caused “fear or alarm” and “paraded” naked or partially clothed in the common close. 

Both Blackburn and Taylor lived within the block of flats and behaved in an “intimidating, threatening and abusive manner” towards three neighbours.

Blackburn, who previously played the organ for the Church of Scotland, and Taylor both, “repeatedly” removed parcels from three of their neighbour’s doorways. 

Both men loitered at their neighbour’s doorways, peered through their letterboxes, slammed doors, uttered offensive remarks, watched their three neighbours exit their properties and entered the common close naked or partially clothed. 

Blackburn’s defence agent, Robert Mitchell, told the town’s court that his client was “embarrassed by this".

Mr Mitchell added: “He knows his behaviour was unacceptable. 

“Much of it he didn’t know was being observed and he felt dreadful when he found out things had been seen on the door cameras.

“He bitterly regrets it and even moved out of his accommodation to prevent further distress. This has had a dramatic impact on him.” 

Sheriff Eoin McGinty slammed: “My primary concern is the three people who suffered this.”

Taylor’s defence agent, Mr Young, told the court his 47-year-old client “accepts his guilt.” 

Mr Young added: “After viewing the doorbell footage, Mr Taylor appears in the middle of the day, he’s not working. The neighbours all seemed to be at work. When he appears nude and partially clothed, that is when everyone is out. 

“There is no realisation he was in the camera, he thought he was not being observed despite being in a common close.”

The court heard a criminal justice social work report had been prepared where Taylor had refused to consent to wear a tag because he likes to go to the “cinema and bingo in the evenings,” that he was unfit for unpaid work and that he wouldn’t consent to paying any compensation to his victims.

It was also heard how Taylor, who wore a three-piece rainbow coloured suit to court on the last occasion, saw “himself as the victim.” 

Sheriff Eoin McGinty stated to Blackburn: “This is an offence where you threatened, abused and tormented your neighbours. 

“You repeatedly removed their parcels, you loitered at their doorways, you peered through their letterboxes, slammed doors, you watched them exit their properties and you paraded naked and semi-naked in the common close, this crosses the custody threshold. 

“I am just persuaded to impose an alternative.” 

The 58-year-old was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community. 

He was ordered to pay £500 compensation to one of his neighbours and £250 compensation to his other two neighbours. 

In addition, he was made subject to supervision of the social work department for 18months.

A non-harassment order was made for three years, preventing him from contacting or approaching his three victims.

Sentencing Taylor, Sheriff McGinty stated: “You deliberately chose what to wear, the suit, the tie, the shoes, you were sending a signal to the court that you can’t tell me what to do.

“You have failed to consent with any of the available alternative options.

“The only option is a custodial sentence.” 

Taylor was sentenced to six months' imprisonment.