A council has launched an investigation into how it handled sex assault allegations against a teacher later found to have abused 12 boys.

The probe will examine why police were not called in after it emerged computing teacher Martin Gallacher had assaulted a teenager at a school in Paisley.

The boy told the school what had happened to him in 2024 but an internal investigation was dropped due to “insufficient evidence”.

Gallacher was eventually arrested and charged, before being convicted last week of sexually abusing pupils at the Renfrewshire school over 11 years.

It has now emerged that Renfrewshire Council did not inform authorities about the original complaint and Gallacher was allowed to remain teaching.

The trial at Paisley Sheriff Court heard the initial complainer left the school as he had not been believed and Gallacher remained in his post.

But as news of the attack spread around the school and the town, other victims came forward.

The court heard Gallacher had been grooming and abusing vulnerable youngsters for more than a decade, targeting them in his classes and at lunch, badminton and football clubs he ran within the school.

The 46-year-old is now facing a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of 14 charges.

Renfrewshire Council said it was now commissioning an independent learning review into the case.

A spokesperson for the local authority said it was sorry for the impact his behaviour had on his victims.

They added: “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.”

The spokesperson confirmed a complaint about Gallacher’s contact was received in October 2024.

They continued: “There was an investigation into that complaint and no action was taken due to insufficient evidence at that time.”

They said that following the court decision it had commissioned a review which would involve police, health and multi-agency partners.

Giving evidence in Gallacher’s defence, a fellow teacher described him as “the perfect teacher”.

She added he had also been recognised with a “best teacher” award.

Gallacher denied any wrongdoing, and claimed that he had touched boys innocently through his roles as a teacher, club organiser or football coach.

But the court heard he targeted victims in lessons or when they were alone.

He also contacted some on messaging and gaming platforms, and handed out gifts and money.

The court heard he rubbed children on the body and touched them inappropriately.

Gallacher, who said he suffers from “mild cerebral palsy”, agreed that he had touched boys on their shoulders or legs but added that it was “definitely not in a sexual fashion”.

He claimed 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 would 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.

Sheriff McGinty said the teacher had taken advantage of the vulnerability of his victims and behaved in a manipulative and predatory way.

Gallacher was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.