Campaign leader to quit smashed-up cafe over abuse

Sharon O’Donnell claims she is being subjected to abuse from one-time allies in the community, forcing her to rethink her plans to stay in Newtongrange.

The News has previously revealed how the 42-year-old called time on heading up the protest after a barrage of personal attacks were posted on a social media platform several weeks ago.

However, since then she has been subjected to further sustained abuse from several of her one-time allies.

Now the windows of her High Street cafe have been targeted. They were smashed on Saturday night.

Her high-profile campaign led to protesters maintaining a nightly presence outside Greens’ cottage near Bonnyrigg following his relocation in May. The 35-year-old has since been returned to prison and committed for trial on allegations he breached a Sexual Offences Prevention Order by allegedly entering Edinburgh Road, Penicuik.

Since leaving the campaign, the mum-of-two has set up Footprints Scotland, a community support group for victims of physical and mental abuse, after she was inundated with calls during the campaign. She was attending a fundraising night for the charity when vandals targeted her business.

She said: “I 100 per cent believe that it was someone to do with the campaign, as one of the girls who attended it received a number of abusive messages asking how could she go because I’m ‘scum’.

“I’m going to sell up as I’ve had enough and I can’t take much more of this nastiness.

“This is my livelihood they’re targeting. All I’ve ever done is try and help the community.

“People have been claiming that I only got involved with the protest to help get the support group off the ground, which is ridiculous really.”

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said they are aware of an incident and are investigating.

The News told in September how Ms O’Donnell quit the campaign after receiving online abuse. She took a caravan, used as campaign HQ, with her.