It was the country�s first child sex case involving a foreigner.Last night David Brown was beginning a 20-year jail sentence after an Albanian court convicted the Scottish charity worker of sexually molesting children at his orphanage.

It was the country's first child sex case involving a foreigner.

Last night David Brown was beginning a 20-year jail sentence after an Albanian court convicted the Scottish charity worker of sexually molesting children at his orphanage.

Reading the verdict against John David Brown, 57, of Edinburgh, Judge Gerd Hoxha described him as "a threat to society" and said he would be deported from Albania after completing his sentence.

Paedophilia is punishable in Albania with up to 25 years in jail. However, Brown's sentence is the toughest actually imposed.

The evangelical Christian came to Edinburgh in 1990 and ran Bible classes and camping holidays for underprivileged children.

He went to Albania in 1999 during the war in neighbouring Kosovo and registered a charity called His Children two years later.

He set up an orphanage about 30 miles south of the Albanian capital, Tirana, which provided care for mainly Roma orphans and abandoned children found on the streets of the capital. The youngsters were said to have slept three to a bed in the crowded shelter.

Brown was arrested and jailed in May 2006 following allegations that he had sexually abused children in his care, and the orphanage was shut down. He said he had discovered abuse at the children's home but strongly denied any involvement.

During the trial, which began last April, the judge read testimony from former orphanage residents who described being beaten and sexually abused by Brown and forced to sleep naked in his bed. The children said they had been threatened with expulsion if they told anyone about the abuse.

Authorities said at least seven children from the orphanage showed signs of sexual abuse following medical examinations.

Two boys testified against Brown in closed-door sessions assisted by a psychologist.

Brown and his lawyer, Gjystina Golloshi, insisted he had not hurt the children, saying he had a clean record and was impotent.

He appeared lost yesterday as tried to hear the verdict's translation, but could not speak to his lawyer as he was handcuffed and led away.

Three boys he had cared for attended the trial and called the verdict "unjust".

The judge said he believed the jail term and deportation were justified since Brown had ruined the lives of at least two children in his care.

"These sentences will serve not only the punishment and education of the defendant, but also prevent similar acts by members of our society and visiting foreigners," the judge added.

Brown's lawyer said he would appeal the conviction on charges of committing sexual acts with children.

Two Englishmen who worked at the orphanage - Dino Christodoulou and Robin Arnold - have also been charged with sexually molesting children there. They have been extradited to Albania to stand trial later.

Brown's partner, from Edinburgh, could not be contacted for comment last night.

Brown has vehemently denied the charges and has been backed by supporters in Scotland who have set up a website in his defence.

Friends have vouched for this good character in many comments over the months, with one calling him "truly a remarkable example to us all".

Supporters claim that Brown did not receive a fair trial and that prosecutors in Albania had an "agenda".