MacKinnon entered the unlocked Glasgow residence of 87-year-old retired professor Brian Whiting and remained hidden inside for hours before confronting the victims. Dressed in dark clothing and a mask, he entered the couple's bedroom at 1:30 a.m. to threaten them and make accusations regarding his past medical school performance. He then produced two pre-written confessions for the couple to release, which claimed Whiting had participated in an academic conspiracy against bright students. MacKinnon ultimately fled the residence after Marlene Whiting led him downstairs and let him out of the property.
Key points
MacKinnon admitted to the terrifying home invasion before the High Court in Glasgow follo…: MacKinnon admitted to the terrifying home invasion before the High Court in Glasgow following his arrest.
The home invasion took place the day after a BBC broadcast revisited the docudrama about…: The home invasion took place the day after a BBC broadcast revisited the docudrama about MacKinnon's past deception.
MacKinnon threatened to murder the elderly couple and their relatives if they failed to r…: MacKinnon threatened to murder the elderly couple and their relatives if they failed to release the fabricated apology letters.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
An imposter who made headlines around the world for posing as a school pupil in his 30s has appeared in court and admitted hiding in the home of his former university professor before subjecting him to a "terrifying ordeal"
Brian MacKinnon targeted Prof Brian Whiting, 87, as he lay in bed with his wife, the day after a BBC docudrama on his ruse was broadcast.
My Old School chronicled MacKinnon's return to Bearsden Academy, as Brandon Lee, a 16-year-old who had supposedly just moved to Scotland from Canada.
MacKinnon hatched the plan so he could pursue his dream of becoming a doctor having been thrown out of Glasgow University, when Prof Whiting was dean of the medical school.
The model pupil who was a 30-year-old imposter
- Published2 March 2022
MacKinnon - who was formerly a pupil at the East Dunbartonshire school from 1974 to 1980 - returned in 1993 and secured five As in his Higher exams.
As a result he earned a place at the University of Dundee to study medicine.
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