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A CONVICTED drug dealer has been granted permission to change his name and wear women's clothes in prison.

William Wallace, 35, told jail bosses he wanted to wear a dress and be called Cassie when he returns to Noranside open prison after Christmas.

Now Wallace, who is serving five years for dealing, has been given the go-ahead to become a transsexual behind bars.

He is thought to be the first Scottish prisoner to be given the right be a transsexual while serving a jail sentence. Last week, he had his hair shaved off so he could be fitted for a wig to complete the gender makeover.

Jail bosses had intially rejected Wallace's request to be treated as a woman but had to agree after his lawyers said refusal was a breach of his human rights.

Wardens have been warned they face disciplinary action if they laugh at Wallace when he returns to the prison on Wednesday.

He was released on home leave for seven days over Christmas last week.

A prison source said: "Wallace was determined to win the right to be treated as a woman.

"He started a petition and got all the other inmates to sign it and give their support. It has been the source of a lot of amusement among the staff and inmates but it's no laughing matter for him.

"He says he intends to live the rest of his life as Cassie, and the Scottish Prison Service have to accept it.

"It's a sign of the times that a man has the right to dress as a woman while in jail for drug dealing."

Wallace, of Tollcross, Glasgow, was jailed at the High Court in Glasgow in 2007 after being busted by police.

He was convicted of being in possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

He was moved to low-security Noranside open prison in Angus several months ago as part of his training-for-freedom programme.

Wallace isn't due to be released from prison until the spring.

A friend said yesterday: "This is a medical condition William has and should be treated responsibly - it's not a joke.

"It's his choice to live as a woman and people should just accept it."

A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: "We do not comment on individual prisoners."