February 2012: Child sex pervert Paul Falconer – Mohammed Farooq – 43, has now been released. Falconer got eight years in 2006 for molesting two young girls in Prestonpans, East Lothian, in 2004.

August 2008

Paedophile changes name and converts to Islam in jail

A PAEDOPHILE has converted to Islam and changed his name behind bars.

Paul Falconer, 40, now insists bosses at Peterhead prison call him Mohammed Farooq instead.

Falconer’s case made legal history when his five-year-old victim gave evidence by video link to a court 40 miles away to ease her ordeal.

He was jailed for almost eight years for sexually abusing her and another girl.

His ex-wife was last night shocked at his identity swap.

She raged: “Paul should not be allowed to go by any other name. People should be warned about this in case he tries to hide his past when he gets out.”

He committed attacks on the girl in Prestonpans, East Lothian, in 2004 and a second girl who was seven years old

Now Falconer claims he has found Allah while locked up at the Aberdeenshire jail. He faces Mecca to pray five times a day and enjoys a specially prepared halal diet.

A jail source said: “He is now living life as a Muslim and he refused to respond to his Scottish name when he was called over by a prison warden.

Other inmates think it is an early attempt to convince parole bosses he’s a changed man.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said that in cases where prisoners changed their names, both names were kept on record by the SPS and are registered by authorities on release.

Muslim leaders welcomed Falconer’s switch to Islam.

Chairman of the Scottish Islamic Foundation Osama Saeed said: “People have more time for contemplation and reflection in jail and there are many reasons why they would decide to convert.

“But they have to do their time and change their ways.”

Falconer is not the first Scots prisoner to convert to Islam. Rapist George Clark, 46, is now known as Yusuf Ansari. After finding his faith he advertised for a wife on the internet from jail.

June 2006

Alleged victim gives evidence to Perth court from Edinburgh

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl made legal history yesterday when she gave evidence to a jury sitting 40 miles away.

The girl sat in the High Court in Edinburgh, speaking by video link to the High Court in Perth.

It is the first time a link between two High Court rooms has been used in a bid to lower the stress and anxiety for vulnerable witnesses.

The girl is giving evidence in the trial of Paul Falconer, 38, who is facing charges of serious sexual abuse against her and a second girl.

He denies that on various occasions between October 2003, while the girl was two, and 30 June 2004, he used lewd and libidinous practices against her.

The girl – one of the youngest people ever to give evidence in a Scottish court – sat in an ante-room accompanied by a member of the witness service.

Lord Emslie, along with advocate depute Angela Graham and defence counsel Brian Gilfedder, took off their formal robes and wigs before speaking to her.

Lord Emslie opened proceedings by asking the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, what age she was. She replied: “Five.”

He said: “I am a judge in a court room far away from you and my name is Lord Emslie. I will press a button and disappear like magic.”

He then checked the girl could hear and see him properly, before repeating the procedure with cameras pointed at lawyers for the Crown and defence.

The youngster was put at ease with a series of simple questions.

She was asked if she could count to five and what her favourite TV show was.

The girl told the court her favourite thing at school was “getting gooey by sticking my hands in glue”.

At that point, the court in Perth was adjourned while the witness was taken for her lunch by staff in Edinburgh.

It is alleged Falconer, described as a prisoner in Edinburgh, carried out attacks on the girl at Dalkeith Country Park and at Grange Crescent East in Prestonpans, East Lothian.

The second charge alleges that during the same time period he carried out various attacks on another girl, now aged seven, with intent to rape her.

These allegedly took place at the same locations and also at the Jelly Club soft play area in Peffermill Road, Edinburgh, and at Salt Preston Place, Prestonpans.

A third charge alleges Falconer, from East Lothian, failed to appear for trial at the High Court in Edinburgh on February 28 while he was on bail. He denies all charges.

The trial, which is expected to last several days, continues.

THE GIRL’S TESTIMONY

THE JUDGE: “I am a judge in a court room far away from you and my name is Lord Emslie.

“I will press a button and disappear like magic.”

He then checked the girl could hear and see him properly, before repeating the procedure with cameras pointed at lawyers for the Crown and defence.

Angela Graham, prosecuting, asked the girl: “Can you count to five?” and she did.

Graham: “Do you go to school?”

Girl: “Yes.”

Graham: “What’s your favourite thing at school?” Girl: “I like getting gooey by sticking my hands in glue.”

Graham: “Do you watch TV?”

Girl: “Yes.”

Graham: “What’s your favourite programme?”

Girl: “CBeebies. My favourite cartoon is CBeebies.”

Graham: “Are you hungry?”

Girl: “Yes. I’ve got a packed lunch with me.”