Child sex offender deported to UK

Gallagher had lived in Australia for 40 years and left on Monday

A Scottish-born paedophile has returned to the UK after Australian authorities approved his deportation.

William Gallagher, 62, had lived in Australia for almost 40 years and has a string of convictions for sex offences against boys dating back to 1973.

A Sydney judge said there was a "high risk" of reoffending and his visa was revoked on character grounds after his release from a New South Wales jail.

Gallagher, from Glasgow, landed at Heathrow Airport this morning.

It'll definitely help my brother and I sleep at night to know he won't be walking the street Victim

He was met off the flight from Sydney by Metropolitan Police officers.

The force said he had not been arrested but would be made to sign the Sex Offenders' Register.

It is thought Gallagher could return to Glasgow, where he still has relatives in the east end.

'Protecting children'

A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said Gallagher would be monitored if he returns to the force area.

Gallagher's most recent conviction was for the indecent assault of a 13-year-old boy at an amusement arcade in Sydney in 2003.

One of his victims said: "It'll definitely help my brother and I sleep at night to know he won't be walking the street.

"Hopefully Scotland will hold up their end and really keep an eye on him so there is not a Scottish mother, daughter or sister on TV in 18 months time."

A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said: "Protecting our children is a top priority.

"However, it is not appropriate for ministers to comment on individual cases.

"Where it is known that a sex offender, convicted in another country is to be deported to the UK, they are met at the port of entry by the police who will interview them and pass any relevant information to the police in the area in which the offender proposes to live."