ALEXANDER Wilson yesterday became the fourth man to be convicted of sexually abusing youngsters at Scotland's most famous children's home.

Wilson, 61, faces a lengthy jail term when he is sentenced for a series of crimes against eight girls at Quarrier's Village, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire.

His brother-in-law, John Porteous, 70, is already serving eight years for sex offences which took place when they both worked as houseparents.

Wilson's victims were sexually molested over a 19-year period from the mid-1960s. Wilson, who has only one leg, was a plumber who became a house-parent with his late wife, Jan, at one of the home's 30 cottages, housing 500 children.

He was found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday of 15 charges of molesting children living at the village. He showed no emotion as he Was remanded in custody to await sentence.

Some of his victims, who are now adults, cried as the jury returned its verdict. They then walked quietly from court and hugged two policewomen who investigated the case and gave evidence for the Crown.

Temporary Judge David Burns, QC, placed Wilson on the sex offenders' register and called for a risk assessment on possible future danger to the public.

Three other Quarrier's house-parents have already been convicted of serious sexual abuse charges.

Porteous, who was nicknamed the "Beast of the Bell-tower" because he lured boys into the 50ft tower which dominated the village and abused them, was jailed for eight years in November 2002.