Carer couple caged for years of abuse and cruelty to kids in their care

Two former foster carers have been jailed for the shocking abuse of children they were tasked with looking after.

Douglas Daniel and Barbara Daniel forced some of the kids into animal enclosures, making one girl stand among geese that pecked her.

Another child was pushed into a dirty outdoor bird bath, while several children were forced to go hungry.

Another was served cow’s tongue which had been intended as food for ferrets the family kept as pets. 

At least one child was made to sit on the floor alongside pet dogs during mealtimes, and the children were also subjected to violent physical assaults and controlling behaviour.

They were locked in rooms, monitored with alarmed windows, and had their access to the bathroom restricted.

The abuse saw them only being allowed one square of toilet paper when going to the bathroom.

Some of the children were forced to stand facing the wall for hours, occasionally on one leg, and sometimes to the point of collapse.

Douglas, 80, and Barbara, 75, were convicted of abusing the vulnerable foster children following a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

The husband and wife targeted the youngsters at their former home in Parkhead, Glasgow, in the 1980s.

Sentence had been deferred for background reports to be prepared and they were jailed for 30 months when they returned to the dock today, Monday, March 9, 2026.

Speaking after they were sentenced, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Guy said: “For years, Douglas and Barbara Daniel carried out a litany of abuse against young people who were supposed to be in their care.

“I would like to thank the victims for their courage and assistance in our investigation and hope that today’s outcome will give them some closure.

“This conviction and sentencing should reassure our communities that we are committed to investigating all reports of abuse whenever they may have occurred and will utilise all resources at our disposal to bring those responsible to justice.

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of an offence of this nature, but who has yet to speak to police, to contact us immediately, where their report will be handled with the utmost sensitivity and professionalism and investigated robustly.”

Procurator Fiscal Fraser Gibson, of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “Douglas and Barbara Daniel inflicted prolonged and degrading abuse on children who had been entrusted to their care.

“These vulnerable young people were placed with them in the belief that they would be protected, supported and given stability.

“Instead, these young people were met with cruelty, humiliation, violence and fear. 

“The actions of these foster carers were not only criminal, but also a profound betrayal of trust that should never have occurred.

“The Crown treats all allegations of non‑recent child abuse with the utmost seriousness, and no matter how much time has passed, we remain committed to ensuring survivors are heard and perpetrators held accountable.”