WILLIAM GALLAGHER ROAMS GLASGOW STREETS DESPITE PAST CHILD SEX OFFENSES

A convicted child sex offender, William Gallagher, who was deported from Australia to the United Kingdom, is currently wandering the streets of Glasgow without any apparent supervision or monitoring. Gallagher, aged 62, is classified as a 'maximum risk' sex offender due to his extensive criminal history involving heinous assaults on young boys over the past three decades.

Gallagher's criminal record includes multiple convictions for sexual offenses dating back to 1973. Despite serving time in Australian prisons, authorities there decided to revoke his visa and deport him back to the UK after his last offense, which involved indecent assault on a 13-year-old boy at an amusement arcade in Sydney in 2003. Australian courts had recognized the high likelihood of reoffending and deemed him a significant danger to the public, leading to his deportation on character grounds.

Upon his arrival at Heathrow Airport, Gallagher was met by officers from the Metropolitan Police. Although he was not detained upon entry, he was required to sign the Sex Offenders' Register and inform authorities of his whereabouts. Gallagher now operates under the alias John Hewitt, and staff at his current West London hostel have been instructed to keep his past crimes confidential. However, concerns have been raised by fellow residents, who have contacted The Sun after learning of his true identity.

One resident described Gallagher as a silent, solitary figure who never interacts with others. The individual stated, “He never speaks to anyone, not a word, and goes out early most mornings to hover around the bus stop as the kids head to school. I’ve never seen him speak to them, he just watches and lurks in the background. It’s become a kind of ritual. There’s no monitoring of him whatsoever. He’s free to come and go as he pleases.”

Investigative efforts by The Sun revealed Gallagher’s routine, with footage capturing him leaving his hostel at 7 a.m. to stand vigil at a bus stop. He was observed loitering in shop doorways until 8:30 a.m., then queuing outside a post office. Once the post office opened, he left, but not before standing for 15 minutes beside a bus shelter filled with children, passing by without any apparent concern for their safety. Neither the children nor their guardians appeared aware of Gallagher’s presence or his criminal background.

Authorities and experts warn that Gallagher remains a highly dangerous individual with an unrelenting predatory nature. A source close to the case expressed concern, saying, “This man will always be a dangerous, determined paedophile. Who’ll take the blame when he strikes again?”

In response to these developments, police officials have been alerted to the possibility that Gallagher might attempt to disappear once he realizes he is under scrutiny. Senior officers have promised to review his case urgently. Chief Superintendent David Morgan stated, “What has happened shows the challenges we face in cases like this. We have been proactive in getting him under some sort of control, but can only react to specific information. He will be moved from the hostel immediately.”

Despite legal restrictions requiring Gallagher to notify authorities of his movements, the lack of continuous monitoring leaves a significant gap in safeguarding the community. The authorities are now under pressure to implement stricter measures to prevent any potential reoffending, especially given the history of his violent and sexual offenses against minors.

Gallagher’s case highlights the ongoing difficulties faced by law enforcement agencies in managing high-risk sex offenders who are deported or released into communities without adequate supervision. The fear remains that, without proper oversight, individuals like Gallagher could pose a serious threat to public safety, particularly to children and vulnerable populations in Glasgow and beyond.