Dad thwarts machete thug who targeted son

Published on Thursday 23 February 2012 12:06

A VIOLENT thug who used henchmen armed with machetes to collect drug debts was caught out by the quick-thinking dad of one of his targets.

A court heard yesterday how the couple were terrified by phone calls demanding payment of cash owed by their son.

In one incident they picked up the phone in the early hours of the morning to hear “Pedro” threaten “unfortunately I know where you live”.

Two days later, “Pedro” called again and told them that the debt had risen to £4100.

They put the caller off, saying he had to deal with paperwork at the bank before he could get and cash.

Advocate depute Richard Goddard, prosecuting, told the High Court in Edinburgh that when the next call came the father dialled 1471.

The mobile phone number he noted belonged to Peter Cameron’s mother.

Yesterday, Peter Cameron, 31, of Riddochhill Crescent, Blackburn, West Lothian, pleaded guilty to charges of extortion and attempted extortion.

Beside him in the dock was drug dealer John McCarthy, 38, of Anne Street, Bathgate – caught because he booked a distinctive taxi in his own name for one of his outings – who admitted similar allegations as well as drug trafficking. Judge Lord Bannatyne called for background reports. Cameron and McCarthy will remain in custody pending sentence in Glasgow next month.