Investigation launched after beast teacher was allowed back in classroom after victim came forward
An investigation is being launched into the handling of sex assault allegations against an award-winning teacher who abused 12 boys in his classroom.
The probe will examine why police were not called in after it emerged monster computing teacher Martin Gallacher had assaulted a teenager at Renfrewshire's Paisley Grammar School.
The boy told the school what had happened to him and an internal investigation was launched.
But the authorities were not informed and Gallacher was allowed to remain teaching, with the school claiming there was "insufficient evidence" of abuse.
Gallacher's Paisley Sheriff Court trial heard that the boy left the school because he was so hurt he had not been believed and that Gallacher was allowed to remain in his post.
And as news of the attack spread round the school and the town of Paisley, previous victims of Gallacher came forward.
It emerged he had been grooming and abusing vulnerable youngsters for over a decade, targeting them in his classes and at lunch, badminton and football clubs he ran within the school.
He was eventually arrested and charged and was convicted this week of sexually abusing a dozen youngsters at the Renfrewshire school.
The 46-year-old is now behind bars, facing a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of an 11-year-long campaign of abuse.
And Renfrewshire Council has revealed it is commissioning an independent Learning Review into the case.
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “We note the guilty verdict after the trial of Martin Gallacher at Paisley Sheriff Court and are sorry for the impact his actions have had on those affected.
"The safety and wellbeing of our pupils is of the utmost importance to us. Wellbeing support is being offered to everyone affected by his actions.
“We can confirm we received a complaint in October 2024 about Martin Gallacher’s conduct.
"There was an investigation into that complaint and no action was taken due to insufficient evidence at that time.
"Following the court decision this week, we will be commissioning an independent Learning Review which will involve police, health and multi-agency partners."
Giving evidence in Gallacher's defence, fellow Paisley Grammar computing teacher Lynda Gibson described him as "the perfect teacher" and said he was so good he had won a "best teacher" award.
Gallacher denied any wrongdoing, claiming he had touched boys innocently through his roles as a teacher, club organiser or football coach.
But the court heard he targeted boys in lessons or when they were alone, contacted some on messaging platforms PlayStation, Discord, Steam and Snapchat, and gave some gifts and money.
He rubbed the children on their shoulders, back, legs and thighs, and touched some of their privates and performed sex acts on them.
Gallacher, who said he suffers from "mild cerebral palsy", said that he had touched boys on their shoulders or legs but that it was "definitely not in a sexual fashion".
He also claimed that sometimes he had touched their shoulders as he was "steadying himself" due to being unsteady on his feet because of his condition.
After Gallacher was convicted last week, Prosecutor Jason Stark asked Sheriff Eoin McGinty to consider imposing a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which will place limitations on the sex offender's activities.
He also asked the sheriff to impose Non-Harassment Orders, banning Gallacher from having any contact with his victims.
As he remanded Gallacher in custody, Sheriff McGinty said: "Upto now you've had the benefit of bail, but up until some moments ago you had the benefit of the presumption of innocence, and that no longer applies.
"You were in a position of power and authority. You took advantage of the vulnerability of your victims.
"Your conduct to all these boys can only be described as manipulative and predatory."
Gallacher will be sentenced next month.
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