JOHN GALLAGHER FROM GLENALMOND, PERTH, SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Glenalmond and the wider Perth area, John Gallagher, a groundskeeper employed at Glenalmond College, was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for heinous crimes involving child sexual abuse and possession of explicit material involving minors.

Gallagher, aged 41, was found guilty of luring a nine-year-old girl—who was not a student at the private school—into his shed on the school grounds, where he committed a sexual assault. The incident took place on June 16 of this year, and the court was told that Gallagher had targeted the young girl in a secluded area known as the Gardener’s Shed within the college premises.

During the sentencing hearing, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis emphasized the importance of protecting the public, especially children, from individuals like Gallagher. As part of his punishment, Gallagher received a custodial sentence of two years and eight months. Additionally, the court imposed an extended supervision order lasting three years after his release, a measure designed to monitor his activities and prevent further offenses.

The court proceedings revealed that Gallagher had a significant collection of child pornography, including hundreds of images and over 100 video clips, some of which lasted more than two hours. These materials had been downloaded from the internet and depicted children being abused by both men and women. Gallagher was also found to have taken illicit photographs of female pupils at Glenalmond College using his mobile phone camera, despite being employed as a groundskeeper and having undergone checks through Disclosure Scotland, which confirmed his suitability for employment at the time.

In a police interview, Gallagher admitted to the assault, stating, “I sexually assaulted a little girl today and it is kind of hard to accept.” He also disclosed that indecent images of children were stored on his home computer at Chapelhill Farm Cottage, Logiealmond, Perthshire. His confession further revealed that he had been secretly capturing images of female students at the school.

Following his arrest, Gallagher was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for an indefinite period, reflecting the severity of his crimes. The school’s Warden, Gordon Woods, confirmed that Gallagher had been checked thoroughly before employment, with all checks being current and up-to-date. However, due to the gravity of the allegations, Gallagher was immediately suspended from his duties and barred from entering the college grounds. He subsequently resigned from his position.

Local authorities and school officials expressed their concern over the case, highlighting the breach of trust and the danger posed by Gallagher’s actions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and rigorous safeguarding measures within educational institutions and the community at large.