Foster carer withheld food from children and refused to let them use toilet

A foster carer has been sentenced for abusing at least four vulnerable children in her care over a period of 16 years.

Gillian Murray was found guilty of using cruel and unnatural treatment towards the young victims in Bonnyrigg between 1995 and 2011, following a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The 59-year-old abused one child, who was aged between five and seven at the time, by forcing him to eat food alone on the floor while also withholding food on other occasions.

She refused to let him access other rooms in the house and prevented him from using the bathroom, which caused him to wet the bed.

She also failed to provide him with toys and didn’t allow him to go outside to play.

Murray was found to have subjected a second boy, aged between six months and five years old, to a similar pattern of abuse, as well as shouting at him and dressing him in ill-fitting clothing, resulting in his injury.

Two more children were also abused by Murray, who did not comfort them when they cried and failed to wash them.

Following evidence from a former neighbour, Murray was also convicted of abusing further children, whose identities are currently unknown.

She forced them outside whilst dressed inappropriately for the weather before refusing to let them back in.

Murray was found guilty of abusing at least four vulnerable children and was sentenced to 300 hours of community service.

Neil Almond, interim Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders, said Murray contributed to the vulnerable children’s trauma.

“Gillian Murray was responsible for the care of vulnerable children and was trusted to look after them. She instead contributed to their trauma through her cruel and abusive treatment,” he said.

“This prosecution would not have been possible without the victims’ reporting their experiences and giving evidence.”

He added: “The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is committed to robustly prosecuting non-recent allegations of abuse of children.

“I would urge anyone who has experienced similar offending to come forward and report it, regardless of how long ago the offences took place.

“You will be listened to and supported as we use all the tools available to us to establish a public record of the abuse experienced and the harm caused.”