Man abused boys at children's home more than 50 years ago
John Porteous abused young boys at Quarrier's village near Bridge of Weir
- Published
A man sexually abused two young boys while working at a Renfrewshire children's home in the 1960s and 1970s.
John Porteous, 92, was deemed unfit to be criminally tried or to appear in court following independent medical assessment.
However an examination of the facts at Greenock Sheriff Court found he targeted the victims between 1966 and 1972.
At the time Porteous - who has a previous abuse conviction from 2004 - was working as a houseparent at Quarrier's Village near Bridge of Weir.
Two charges - one of indecent assault and another of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour - were found to be established, the Crown Office said.
Porteous has now been added to the sex offenders register for five years, following the ruling on Tuesday.
In 2002 he was convicted of sexually abusing two boys at Quarrier's in the 1960s and 1970s following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
He was jailed for eight years but the sentence was later cut to five years on appeal.
Porteous later gave evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.
Procurator fiscal Anne Marie Hicks said Porteous exploited his position of authority at the Quarrier's Village to sexually abuse vulnerable boys.
She added: "This examination of facts is a public airing of the evidence and an acknowledgement that what happened to these children in the past was criminal.
"It should never have happened.
"It is now a matter of public record that Porteous committed these offences.
"The court's finding also sends a clear message to abusers: no matter who you are, when the abuse happened or how long after the event it is reported, there will be a robust response from Scotland's prosecutors."
The court had previously determined Porteous was not fit to stand trial and ordered an examination of facts, where the procurator fiscal depute and the defence led evidence which was tested before a sheriff.
Ms Hicks said any other victims of sexual abuse should report it when they felt ready to do so, and that the Crown Office was committed to investigating such crimes.