Former Tory staffer Kyle Thornton was removed from a property in Renfrewshire by police on Sunday, July 19, 2026, after an angry mob gathered outside, chanting 'beast out'. The 32-year-old had previously admitted possessing vile child sex abuse images and extreme pornography involving animals at Dumfries Sheriff Court in March 2025.
Protesters Gather Outside Renfrew Flat
Footage shows four uniformed officers leading Thornton out of a tenement flat on Renfield Street, Renfrew, as protesters jeer. A woman can be heard shouting, 'Kyle, nobody wants you in Renfrew.' Others yell 'beast out' and 'don't come back'. Thornton, wearing a purple and white hooped t-shirt and black shorts, bowed his head as he was escorted into a police car. The vehicle sped away with sirens on, and protesters were heard congratulating one another.
Thornton's Criminal History
Thornton, the former chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament and Glasgow Conservatives, was added to the sex offenders register after his conviction. He was caught with extreme images including a male and animal 'engaged in sex' and admitted sending 'grossly offensive' and 'obscene' messages. It is unclear how long he had been living in the Renfrewshire town.
Local Resident Speaks Out
A local resident told the Record: 'Kyle has been here a while and wasn't exactly keeping a low profile. Nobody knew who he was at first but once it came out some of us decided to do something about it. There is a swing park near where he was living. Hopefully he gets the message and doesn't come back because this will just keep happening until he leaves the area.'
Political Background
Thornton began his political career supporting the 2014 campaign to extend voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds. He served as a councillor for Glasgow's Newlands and Auldburn ward and was a regional list candidate for Holyrood. He later moved to Dumfries but failed to be elected to the Mid and Upper Nithsdale ward in 2022. Before his conviction, he worked as a communications assistant for Galloway MSP Finlay Carson at the Scottish Parliament.
Police Response
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 6.55pm on Sunday, 19 July, 2026, police received a report of a group of people gathered outside a property on Renfield Street, Renfrew. Officers attended and the crowd dispersed a short time later.'
