Film-maker falsely branded a paedophile goes into hiding

♦ A Bafta-nominated film producer is in hiding after being falsely branded a “paedophile” in a smear campaign.

Frank Mcgowan said he feared for his safety after wrongful accusations against him were picked up by an online vigilante group.

Leaflets were delivered through doors, wrongfully claiming that Mr Mcgowan had “been convicted of four charges against young boys and is standing trial for another six charges including holding indecent pornographic images”. The film-maker said he thought about 6,000 posters were distributed, allegedly by a group calling itself the Milton Community Action Group, to homes and schools in north Glasgow.

Mr Mcgowan said: “The flyer is awful. What it says about me is outrageous and it makes very serious claims.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said the force was aware of the letter and was making inquiries as to where it came from.