In 1662, George Lacost, a married man residing in Saltoun, Haddington, became caught in the wider legal and social upheaval of the Scottish witch trials. George was among a significant number of individuals denounced by James Welch, a figure whose accusations during this period triggered a wave of investigations across the region. The legal response to his involvement was complex, as the authorities determined that George was too young to formally stand trial under the customary procedures of the time. Consequently, he was held in custody rather than being subjected to the standard judicial process.
Despite his exemption from a full trial, George remained a subject of intense scrutiny by the authorities. His own recorded confession, along with the specific denunciations he provided against others, were treated as credible and significant by those conducting the investigations. These testimonies were formally integrated into the judicial record, marking a notable instance where the statements of a minor were deemed central to the unfolding legal proceedings in Haddington.