Dechmont Law Encounter

The Dechmont Law encounter stands as one of the most physically violent and well-documented UFO cases in history. A Scottish forestry worker encountered something in the woods that attacked him, left physical evidence, and resulted in what may be the only UFO incident ever investigated as a criminal assault. The case remains unexplained and is commemorated with a memorial at the site.

November 9, 1979

Robert Taylor was working in Dechmont Woods:

The Witness: Robert Taylor, 61, a forestry worker for the Livingston Development Corporation.

Location: Dechmont Law, a small hill with woodland near Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland.

Activity: Taylor was checking tree gates and boundaries as part of his regular work.

Time: Late morning, around 10:30 AM.

Companion: His red setter dog was with him.

The Clearing

Taylor entered a clearing and stopped in shock:

The Object: A large, dark grey spherical object sat in the clearing.

Size: Approximately 20 feet in diameter.

Appearance: The surface seemed to shimmer, as if trying to become invisible.

Texture: The sphere had a rough texture, like emery paper.

Ring: A protruding rim or flange ran around its circumference.

The Attack

The encounter turned violent:

The Spheres: Two smaller spherical objects, like sea mines with protruding spikes, dropped from the main object.

Approach: These spheres rolled rapidly toward Taylor.

Attachment: They attached themselves to his trouser legs.

The Smell: An overwhelming acrid smell, like burning automobile brake linings, filled the air.

Collapse: Taylor lost consciousness.

The Aftermath

Taylor awoke alone in the clearing:

Time Loss: Approximately 20 minutes had passed.

The Objects: The spheres and main craft were gone.

His Condition: He had difficulty breathing and could not stand properly.

His Dog: His dog was running around him frantically, barking.

Physical Damage: His trousers were torn where the spheres had attached.

Getting Home

Taylor struggled to reach help:

Vehicle Problems: His truck wouldn’t start - he apparently tried to drive and ran it into soft ground.

The Walk: He had to walk home, staggering and falling repeatedly.

His Wife: Mary Taylor found him muddy, distressed, with torn clothes.

Initial Report: He told her a “spherical object” had attacked him.

Police Investigation

The case was treated as a crime:

Criminal Investigation: Lothian and Borders Police investigated it as assault by person or persons unknown.

Scene Examination: Officers examined the clearing and found physical evidence.

The Marks: Strange ladder-shaped marks and round holes were found in the ground.

Forensic Analysis: Taylor’s torn trousers were examined forensically.

Physical Evidence

The evidence was compelling:

Ground Marks: Two ladder-shaped tracks and approximately 40 round holes were found in the clearing.

The Trousers: Taylor’s heavy-duty work trousers were torn in a manner consistent with something being pulled up toward his hips.

The Tears: The tears were made by pulling or tugging, not cutting.

Soil Analysis: Soil samples were taken but revealed nothing unusual.

Medical Examination

Taylor was examined by doctors:

Injuries: He had grazes on his chin and thighs.

Headache: He suffered a severe headache for hours afterward.

Thirst: He experienced extreme thirst.

Recovery: His physical symptoms cleared within a day or two.

Mental State: He was found to be of sound mind and completely sincere.

The Witness

Robert Taylor was highly credible:

Reputation: A respected, long-serving forestry worker with an excellent reputation.

Character: Known as practical, honest, and not given to fantasy.

Reluctance: He was embarrassed by the attention and wished it hadn’t happened.

Consistency: His story never changed in any detail until his death.

No Profit: He never sought or received financial gain from his experience.

Official Response

The authorities took it seriously:

Police File: A police file remains open on the case as an unsolved assault.

No Charges: No charges were ever filed as no perpetrator was identified.

Documentation: The case is officially documented as a criminal matter.

Unusual Status: It may be the only UFO encounter treated as a criminal case.

Attempted Explanations

Various theories have been proposed:

Ball Lightning: An unusual electrical phenomenon. This doesn’t explain the structured craft or the attack.

Epileptic Seizure: Taylor may have had a seizure. His previous medical history shows no epilepsy, and it doesn’t explain the physical evidence.

Hoax: Taylor fabricated the story. His character, the physical evidence, and lifelong consistency argue against this.

Something Unknown: The most honest assessment may be that something unexplained occurred.

The Dog

Taylor’s dog provides additional witness:

Behavior: The dog was reportedly terrified and highly agitated.

Barking: It ran around Taylor frantically when he awoke.

Corroboration: While it couldn’t testify, the dog’s behavior suggested something alarming had happened.

The Memorial

Livingston now commemorates the event:

Sculpture: A memorial sculpture was erected near the site.

Trail: A walking trail leads to the encounter location.

Tourism: The site attracts UFO enthusiasts and curious visitors.

Local History: The encounter is part of Livingston’s official history.

Legacy

The Dechmont Law encounter matters because:

• Physical evidence was found and documented by police
• A criminal investigation file exists
• The witness was credible and consistent until his death
• Physical traces on his clothing were forensically examined
• It represents one of the most violent physical UFO encounters on record

Whatever Robert Taylor encountered in that Scottish clearing in 1979, it left marks on the ground, tears in his clothing, and an officially unsolved assault case that remains open decades later.

Sources

• Lothian and Borders Police investigation
• Witness testimony
• Physical evidence documentation
• Robert Taylor incident - Wikipedia