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A VIOLENT criminal who was deported to Scotland from Australia has moved his family to the Highlands because his home town of Paisley is "too rough".

Scott Morrison, 44, who has served time for attempted murder and kneecapping a rival gang member, said he didn't want his children growing up in the Renfrewshire town.

He added: "I'm a Buddie at heart but I live in a council house in the Highlands now.

"I didn't want to bring my family up in Paisley because it's a bit too rough."

Morrison lived in Ferguslie Park, Paisley, until his family moved to Perth, Australia, when he was 12.

He served eight years in a jail Down Under for attempting to stab a man to death. He also ran up a record of attacks of police officers.

Morrison was deported to Scotland two years ago.

He claimed to be a reformed character. But days after he arrived, the father-of-seven sparked a major police alert on Arran by claiming he had a gun and threatening suicide.

Then, in April last year, he brandished an air pistol in an Inverness hostel and threatened to burn down the building.

Morrison admitted breach of the peace and was freed after spending almost six weeks in jail on remand.

He now lives in Brora, Sutherland, where he married Marie Roberts last October.

Morrison is keen to play down his criminal past and claims his reputation is unfair.

He said: "All this nonsense about me being a crimelord was simply untrue."