The Dechmont Woods Encounter

On November 9, 1979, forestry worker Robert Taylor encountered a UFO in Dechmont Woods near Livingston, Scotland. He was attacked by spherical devices that emerged from the craft, leaving him unconscious with torn clothing and physical injuries. The case was investigated by police as a criminal assault—the only UFO case in British history to be investigated as such.

Robert Taylor

Robert Taylor was a 61-year-old forestry worker with an impeccable reputation. He worked for the Livingston Development Corporation and had no history of unusual claims or mental health issues.

The Encounter

At approximately 10:30 AM, Taylor was walking through Dechmont Woods when he entered a clearing and discovered a large, spherical object hovering above the ground.

The Object

Taylor described:

• A large, spherical craft approximately 20 feet in diameter
• Dark grey metallic color
• A rim running around its equator
• Stems or protrusions on the surface
• Hovering silently just above the ground

The Attack

As Taylor approached, two smaller spheres dropped from the main object. These were about three feet in diameter with short spikes protruding from them.

The spheres rolled toward Taylor and attached to his trousers at the hips. He smelled a choking odor and felt himself being pulled toward the main craft. He lost consciousness.

Aftermath

Taylor awoke approximately 20 minutes later. The object was gone. He discovered:

• His trousers torn at the hips where the spheres had attached
• Grazes on his chin and thighs
• Unable to speak for several hours
• Difficulty walking

He made his way home, where his wife called the police.

Police Investigation

This became the only UFO case investigated as a criminal assault in British history:

• Police examined the scene, finding unusual ground marks
• Taylor’s torn trousers were taken as evidence
• Forensic analysis was conducted
• An official police file was opened

The investigation found no evidence of conventional assault or explanation for Taylor’s injuries.

Physical Evidence

At the scene, investigators found:

• Two parallel ladder-like tracks in the ground (matching spheres rolling)
• Circular holes in the soil (matching the spheres’ spikes)
• Compressed vegetation

Taylor’s clothing showed damage consistent with his account—his trousers were torn where he claimed the spheres attached.

Medical Examination

Doctors found Taylor in genuine distress with:

• Grazes and abrasions
• Signs of having been dragged
• Psychological effects including difficulty speaking

Character Assessment

Everyone who knew Taylor confirmed his honesty and reliability:

• His employer vouched for his character
• Police found him credible
• There was no apparent motive for fabrication

Significance

The Dechmont Woods case is significant for:

• Police investigation as criminal assault
• Physical evidence corroborating the account
• Highly credible witness
• Medical documentation of injuries
• Ground traces matching described objects
• No conventional explanation found

Legacy

Robert Taylor maintained his account until his death in 2007. The Livingston Development Corporation installed a commemorative plaque at the site, making it one of the few UFO encounter locations with official recognition.

The case demonstrates that UFO encounters can involve physical assault and leave measurable evidence—raising questions about the nature of the phenomenon and its interaction with human witnesses.