World News
Three family members sentenced over historical child abuse in Scotland
A mother, grandmother, and stepfather received community orders and probation at Aberdeen Sheriff Court after abusing three children over nine years.
The short version
- A mother, grandmother, and stepfather were sentenced at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for abusing three children between 2003 and 2012 in Balloch and Aberdeen.
- The defendants avoided prison sentences and were instead given probation, unpaid work, and restriction of liberty orders.
- Police Scotland launched an investigation in 2022 after one of the victims came forward to make a statement.
Key facts
- Shirley Freeman, Julia Stephen, and David McColl were sentenced for subjecting three children to severe physical, psychological, and food-deprivation abuse from 2003 to 2012.[BBC News]
- Freeman and Stephen were convicted of cruel and unnatural treatment following a trial, while McColl admitted to the charges.[BBC News]
- McColl was ordered to complete 220 hours of unpaid work, 18 months of probation, and an 11-month restriction of liberty order.[BBC News]
- Freeman received 240 hours of unpaid work, 18 months of probation, and a 12-month restriction of liberty order, while Stephen was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work and 18 months of probation.[BBC News]
- The abuse occurred at properties in Balloch, Dunbartonshire, and Aberdeen.[BBC News]
- Police Scotland opened an official investigation in 2022 after victim William Murphy reported the abuse.[BBC News]
Sources
- Mother, grandmother and stepfather sentenced for 'house of terror' abuseBBC News - Top Stories