An artist’s impression of what Taylor reported

Since time immemorial human beings have pondered the existence of alien life. Are we alone in this universe? Or do intelligent beings exist which could pose a threat to our very existence?

I have always harboured an interest in UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) and this was piqued following a very illuminating conversation with a security guard at Cambridge University several years ago. The gentleman in question told me about his career working with the police at airports around the UK.

Strange objects in the sky are reported every day like this saucer in New York State, 1966

He reminisced about the first time he obtained a statement from a distressed pilot regarding a strange object that had circled his plane over the North Sea. Poker-faced, the policeman dutifully recorded the aviator’s observations and filed the report. As a hardened law enforcer, he dismissed the captain’s account as a delusion – possibly triggered by fatigue or stress. Nonetheless, after taking scores of similar statements by the time he decided to retire several years later, his opinion had somewhat softened. He was now willing to believe in the existence of extra- terrestrials, and had even observed some perplexing phenomena in the sky himself.

However, this is not the only example of the authorities seriously considering the existence of intelligence beyond our world. The bizarre story of Robert Taylor (1919 – 2007) from Livingston, West Lothian, resulted in the police opening a criminal investigation. To date, it is the only known case of a law enforcement agency filing criminal charges as a result of a potential alien assault.

On the evening of 9th November 1979 Taylor, a forestry worker, appeared at his home in Livingston in a distressed state. His clothing was torn and he bore scratches on his face and legs. His anxious wife promptly summoned a doctor along with the local constabulary.

Taylor explained that he had parked his van close to the M8 motorway and entered woodland at Dechmont Law. After walking along a path for several hundred yards, he suddenly became aware of an acrid burning odour. Suddenly, in a clearing before him, a large ‘silver domed’ object loomed large.

Many UFO photographs and sightings are hoaxes like this one from Sheffield, UK

The dark silvery saucer hovered above the treeline and appeared to have propellers. Taylor was only able to observe the craft briefly before he was set upon by a host of aggressive spherical entities. The metallic balls seized him and attempted to drag him towards the mother ship. After struggling violently for a few moments he lost consciousness.

When Taylor awoke, the UFO and its sinister crew had vanished. On returning to his van, he was unable to start the engine and was forced to trudge back home to Livingston in a disorientated and ragged state.

Incredibly, the police took Taylor’s account very seriously and he accompanied them on a trip back to the site of his alleged attack. Mysterious markings were found in the clearing and a criminal investigation was duly opened.

Taylor returned to the scene of his attack with the police, and strange markings were found around the clearing

A commemorative plaque has since been placed at the site, and Ufologists celebrate Taylor’s close encounter as evidence that we are not alone. The fact that the authorities chose to accept his account as credible helps to legitimise their cause. However, sceptics are not so convinced. Some believe that the forestry worker may have experienced some sort of break-down or seizure; whilst others dismiss the Dechmont UFO as a crude hoax.

Nonetheless, the case will continue to raise many questions. Why were the police so willing to accept Taylor’s account? And for what purpose would he fabricate such an outlandish story which could potentially harm his reputation?

Do you have any other interesting stories about UFOs or strange phenomena? If so, please email them to us at: email@magician-midlands.co.uk

The author of the article is David Fox a professional entertainer and freelance writer based in the UK.

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