A man convicted of sex offences against children is to appeal after new evidence emerged.

John Porteous, a housecarer at Quarriers village in Inverclyde in the 1960s and 70s, was jailed last year - at 69 - for paedophile offences.

But new testimonies cast doubt on his conviction - and the brother of one of the alleged victims says he lied.

Two boys, known as Robert and James, claimed Porteous abused them in the church tower where they worked over an eight-year period.

But Robert's brother Andrew believes he invented the allegations in a bid to receive cash compensation.

He said: "To speak out against him is something I feel I have to do.

"John is innocent and equally I'm wholly convinced my brother has made this up.

"I was shocked when he told me he wanted to make the allegations. For sure, he's lying."

Sexual abuse victims can sue the institution where abuse took place for up to £100,000.

And up to £8,000 is available from the Criminal Injuries Board.

Quarriers has provided foster homes for Scots children for 100 years.

But three years ago allegations of sexual abuse by carers during the 1960s and 70s began to emerge.

Three men are currently serving sentences for abusing children.

But in John Porteous's case, new witnesses say Robert and James didn't work in the church and for most of the years they allege the abuse happened, Porteous was not a church officer.

In November 2002 Porteous was found guilty of sexual abuse and jailed for eight years.

The case is highlighted tomorrow in Secrets or Lies, a Frontline Scotland programme to be shown at 10.35pm on BBC 1.

Copyright © 2003 SMG Newspapers Ltd.