Four people have appeared in court charged with abduction and assault following a confrontation with a notorious Fife internet troll.
Police were called after a disturbance took place outside Edinburgh Bus Station on Thursday afternoon.
Members of an organisation called Wolfpack Hunters UK had travelled to the transport hub in a bid to confront Fife man Stewart McInroy.
Whilst the group usually expose alleged sex offenders, the latest ‘sting’ was organised after the 27-year-old was accused of trolling members of the organisation online.
McInroy, who has previously been jailed twice for taunting the family of missing man Allan Bryant, was left with a number of facial injuries after he was allegedly assaulted.
He was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment before being arrested in relation to an outstanding warrant issued in England.
The confrontation was live-streamed and viewed by over 3000 people.
Gordon Buchan, 38, of Glasgow, Karen Ferry, 47, of Midlothian, Marcin Kuciak, 37, of Edinburgh and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday.
They made no plea during the private hearing in front of Sheriff Donald Cork and were remanded in custody.
The four individuals have been charged with abducting McInroy on Elder Street in Edinburgh on September 27.
They have all also been charged with assaulting him to his severe injury.
A Police Scotland said: “Four people have been arrested and charged following an assault in Edinburgh city centre.
“The incident happened around 12.45pm on Thursday 27th August in Elder Street.
“A 27-year-old man sustained a number of facial injuries and was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment. He was subsequently arrested on an outstanding warrant.
“Three men aged 17, 38, and 37 and a 47-year-old woman will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday September 28 in connection with the assault.”
The Wolfpack Hunters UK group were involved in chaotic scenes on a quiet Forfar street after nine police cars were called when individuals began swearing and chanting outside an alleged sex offenders home on August 15.
