Couple accused of abusing seven children could be unfit for trial

A couple accused of keeping children in an animal pen and a dog cage could be unfit to stand trial.

Douglas Daniel, 79, and Barbara Daniel, 75, allegedly cruelly and unnaturally treated a total of seven children at a property in Glasgow’s Parkhead.

Court papers state that the pair put a child in a cupboard alongside chickens and refused to let her out.

The child was also stated to have been forced to sit on the floor when eating and forced to eat food that she did not like.

A second child is said to have been forced to drink out of cup which had been spat in. The girl is further alleged to have been seized by the arm and forced to bathe outside.

A third child is claimed to have been forced to stand at a wall for a long period of time as well as locked in a bathroom.

Another child is stated to have been forced to sit on a sofa with her back straight and arms crossed for a long period of time.

The charge goes on to say that she was “repeatedly put in an animal pen in the backyard.”

One child was allegedly made to sit on the stairs at night without a pillow or blanket and was stopped from falling asleep.

Another is alleged to have been forced to stand outside in the sun for a long period of time.

Allegations further allege that the child was made to stand while holding a glass bottle and face a corner.

One child is claimed to have been “forced to sit in a dog cage” and was “inadequately fed”.

All the charges are stated to have caused the children “unnecessary suffering and injury to their health”.

The allegations span between August 1986 and March 1991 and the alleged victims ranged in age from four to 14 years old.

Ross Jenkins, defending Douglas Daniel, told a hearing Glasgow Sheriff Court that his client was unable to attend on Friday.

He said: “The defence are considering whether he is able to stand trial as after a consultation there were concerns raised about his ability to properly follow the discussions that were being had.

“There were concerns about him understanding the nature of the charges.

“There is also an ongoing heart condition and we are trying to get information about that.

“I cannot say whether he has dementia or Alzheimer’s.”

Stephen Dryden, defending Barbara Daniel, also stated that his client was also unable to attend court.

He said: “There is a problem with her physical health – around Christmas and New Year she contracted a bacterial infection.

“She was in hospital until mid-January and then she was discharged with medication.

“They thought she would not be able to survive but she did survive.

“I am unaware of the likely prognosis of her medical situation.”

The matter was continued to trial by Sheriff Joan Kerr with a date set for August.

The sheriff also set a pre-trial hearing for July for an update on the medical issues.

The Daniels, now of Kent, remain on bail for the matter.