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Shetland gun teen driven to despair by online bullies

Samuel Barlow (16),  responsible for the firearms incident in Lerwick on 23 September 2014
Samuel Barlow (16), responsible for the firearms incident in Lerwick on 23 September 2014

The father of a teenager who terrorised a Shetland community with a gun has said he is hopeful of a happy ending for his son thanks to treatment while he is in custody.

Paul Barlow, 47, has revealed that he believes 16-year-old Samuel was trying to kill himself when he carried an air rifle onto the streets of Lerwick and Scalloway earlier this year.

And he has put the blame at the door of online social media bullies who he claims pushed his son over the edge.

He said that his son had been encouraged to commit suicide in a pact with others he had met online, but had meant no harm to others.

Barlow admitted four charges of assault and one of abusive and threatening behaviour when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court earlier this week. He will be sentenced early in January.

Every officer in the isles, on and off duty, and a firearms unit from Inverness was flown to Shetland after Barlow was seen carrying his air rifle in Scalloway on September 23.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Barlow said that his son had been diagnosed with autism following psychiatric tests in custody after his arrest.

He said: “We knew that he had learning difficulties but no idea that it was autism. It has been completely missed by the schools.

“It’s an extreme way of getting treatment but I hope that this will result in a happy ending for him.”

Mr Barlow said he had no idea about the unfolding drama involving his son until police called him to ask whether Samuel would have access to a .22 rifle.

The gun used by Barlow was an air rifle used around the family croft in Wester Skeld.

It is understood that Barlow took the weapon before sailing several miles in an inflatable dinghy to Scalloway where he was spotted by residents just after midday.

Two police officers were unable to approach him and had to take refuge behind the fire station building when Barlow took aim at them.

In court, fiscal Duncan Mackenzie that there had been a number of occasions when the firearms officers had to decide whether “to pull the trigger or not”.

Mr Barlow said he was “extremely grateful” to the officers for sparing his son.

Barlow is being held in custody until he returns to court in January for sentencing.