Child abuser Brian Hill is back living in Orkney after an appeal to the High Court for his release on bail was successful.

Hill, was remanded in custody until sentencing on May 30 at Alloa Sheriff Court after he was found guilty of sex acts against two sisters when they were aged seven and nine from 1978 to 1983.

However, Advocate Matt Jackson, defending Hill, appealed to the High Court against the decision to remand.

A spokesman from Alloa Sheriff Court confirmed this week that Hill had been granted bail by the High Court on Wednesday, May 15.

It is believed that Hill (42), 20 Ingale, Papdale, Kirkwall, is living at an address in the West Mainland with his partner.

Sources told The Orcadian that Hill and his partner had been advised by the police not to go back to the Kirkwall address for fear of vigilante attacks.

However, a spokesman from Northern Constabulary declined to make any comment other than in a prepared statement.

It said: “Northern Constabulary and Orkney Islands Council, in partnership with other agencies, are working closely together to manage sex offenders living in our communities. We will not confirm whether individuals are sex offenders, but are aware of the high level of public concern and anxiety that exists.”

Within the statement they say that this “inter-agency approach aims to ensure that the correct balance is achieved between the rights of the individuals to privacy and confidentiality and the rights of children and vulnerable adults to be safe and protected from abuse.”

This sparked concern from at least one West Mainland mother, who said they had a right to know if a paedophile was living in their area.

The woman, who declined to be named, has young children, said: “I think if you have somebody like that living in your area you should know. If you know there is somebody like that about you will be more vigilant.

“Because you are in Orkney you do not usually have that worry. You can leave your bairns out to play – up here they are supposed to be safe. If you have children you have a right to know what kind of nutters are about hands.”

The mother admitted that she did not want to see child abusers going underground, adding: “But we do not want them in our backyard. Put them all on a deserted island and leave them there.”

Orkney Islands Council said they could not comment on what safety measures were in place at local schools when a sex offender was known to be living in the area, and declined to add anything further to the joint statement issued by Northern Constabulary.

Hill is due to be sentenced on Thursday, May 30, at Alloa Sheriff Court.

lorraine.shearer@orcadian.co.uk