Predatory Paisley teacher who sexually abused 12 pupils jailed for four years

A predatory Renfrewshire teacher who sexually abused schoolboys while "hiding in plain sight" has been jailed for four years.

Martin Gallacher, 46, denied any wrongdoing but was last month convicted of 14 charges against 12 victims.

Gallacher preyed on the boys in Paisley between August 2015 and June 2025.

The town's sheriff court heard how he targeted the pupils at the school and within his computing class.

Gallacher was sentenced on Monday.

In his sentencing statement, Sheriff Eoin McGinty said one boy was frequently sexually abused in the defendant's car and while class was in session.

The sheriff stated: "You did so surreptitiously. Behind your large desk. Hiding in plain sight - from other boys, and indeed, from other members of staff."

Gallacher was eventually caught after a victim reported the abuse to another teacher and then to his mother before going to Police Scotland.

Sheriff McGinty said: "But for his actions and for his mother's determination, you would in all likelihood have continued to offend."

The sheriff described the paedophile's offending as a "profound breach of trust".

He added: "Your actions have betrayed the trust placed in you by parents. And your actions have cast a shadow over the work of the multitude of good teachers who perform their duties with integrity and care.

"Your position within the school gave you access to young people and placed you in a position of influence over them.

"And in a deliberate and calculated way, over a period of 10 years, you betrayed their trust in the most awful way - by sexually abusing them."

Sheriff McGinty noted that Gallacher continues to maintain his innocence.

Highlighting the victim impact statements, the sheriff added: "I say this to all the boys involved - any sense of shame or embarrassment, or sense of responsibility which any of you might have, is completely and utterly unfounded.

"It belongs nowhere other than with Martin Gallacher who committed these offences against you."

As well as the four-year jail term, Gallacher was also added to the sex offenders' register indefinitely and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) for 10 years.

He was additionally banned from contacting any of his victims for 10 years.

More from Sky News:
Russell Brand trial live
Tommy Robinson trial live

Detective Inspector David Hardie previously described Gallacher as a "depraved individual".

He added: "I commend those who came forward and reported the abuse and for the strength they showed throughout the trial.

"Their evidence was instrumental in bringing this despicable individual to justice."

Renfrewshire Council has commissioned an independent learning review in response to the case.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: "We note the sentencing of Martin Gallacher 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.

"We confirmed following the recent court decision, we are commissioning an independent learning review which will involve police, health and multi-agency partners."

(c) Sky News 2026: Predatory Paisley teacher who sexually abused 12 pupils jailed for four years