BARRY SAMMON SHOCKS MUSSLEBURGH AND TRANENT WITH ATTACK ON PAEDOPHILE IN HOME BARGAINS

In a dramatic and highly charged incident that unfolded in Musselburgh, East Lothian, a local pensioner from Prestonpans, Sheila Hamilton, took matters into her own hands after encountering Barry Sammon, a convicted sex offender, during a routine shopping trip. The confrontation occurred within the confines of the Home Bargains store, located in Musselburgh, on the evening of February 11 this year, around 5:40 pm.

According to reports, Hamilton, aged 65, was shopping alongside a family member when she unexpectedly came face-to-face with Sammon. Witnesses state that Sammon was overheard by Hamilton to have been speaking with a staff member, allegedly saying, “Do you know that there is a paedophile in your shop?” This remark evidently ignited Hamilton’s fury. She responded loudly and with profanity, branding him as “a paedophile” and “a dirty bastard” in front of other shoppers. Her outburst drew the attention of other customers and staff, creating a tense atmosphere within the store.

Following her initial confrontation, Sammon attempted to distance himself from the situation, but Hamilton was not finished. She approached him again, this time more aggressively, and shouted accusations at him, claiming, “You are a f***ing bastard touching a ten-year-old and a 14-year-old.” Her anger culminated in her spitting directly into Sammon’s face, an act that further escalated the disturbance. She was subsequently pulled away from the scene by a family member, but not before police were called to manage the chaos.

Law enforcement officers arrived promptly to handle the incident. Hamilton was arrested and later charged with a series of offences, including behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and assaulting Barry Sammon by spitting on his head. The case was brought before Edinburgh Sheriff Court, where Hamilton appeared on December 11. The court heard that she had no prior convictions and was suffering from disabilities, which her solicitor, Cameron Tait, highlighted during the proceedings. Tait emphasized that her actions were “completely out of character” and explained that Hamilton’s anger was fueled by her belief that Sammon had molested a family member, which she claimed was true.

During the hearing, Sheriff John Cook acknowledged the seriousness of her actions but also recognized her lack of previous criminal record and her emotional state. He stated, “Clearly you shouldn’t have done what you did but matters such as this do evoke high emotions. You did cause a disturbance in the shop, but as you are 65 and have no previous convictions I propose to impose a financial penalty.” Consequently, Hamilton was fined £100 for her conduct.

It is important to note that Barry Sammon, the man at the center of this incident, has a troubling criminal history. In March 2013, he was convicted at Haddington Sheriff Court of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl by touching her breasts and pressing his body against hers in a sexual manner. He was also found guilty of sexually assaulting a 24-year-old woman. Following his conviction, Sammon was placed on the sex offenders register for three years and was issued a sexual harm prevention order. Despite his criminal record, he was released from jail and has since been living in Tranent, East Lothian.

Sammon’s past crimes have cast a long shadow over his reputation, and his recent encounter with Hamilton has brought renewed attention to his criminal history. The incident in Musselburgh has sparked widespread discussion about justice, community safety, and the appropriate response to individuals with a history of sexual offending. The case remains a stark reminder of the complex emotions and legal boundaries involved when victims or their families seek retribution or justice outside the formal judicial process.