Mother and son who abused foster children sentenced over neglect and rape

A mother and son who abused foster children have been sentenced after being convicted of child neglect and rape.

Jennifer Robertson and her son Steven Robertson abused youngsters in Perthshire in the 1980s and 1990s.

Jennifer, now 79, was convicted of child cruelty and neglect of children in her care and was spared prison today, Friday, April 17, 2026.

She was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work as she was placed on a Community Payback Order.

Steven, 52, was jailed for 11 years for his crimes, which saw him abusing girls under the age of 13 at the family home.

The High Court heard he targeted the youngsters, who can't be identified for legal reasons, between February 1980 and December 1995.

Speaking after they were sentenced, Detective Constable Ursula Honeyman said: “This was a harrowing and complex investigation and our thoughts are with the victims.

"I hope these sentences help them to come to terms with the abuse they suffered. Jennifer Robertson had a duty of care to these children.

"She not only neglected them but did nothing when her son sexually abused them.

"Steven Robertson systematically abused young girls staying at his family home over a number of years and now faces the consequences of his depraved actions.

“Police Scotland takes all reports of sexual abuse seriously, regardless of the passage of time.

“We remain committed to supporting victims of sexual crime and protecting children from harm and abuse. We will use all available resources to find and arrest the abusers.

“I would urge anyone who is a victim of abuse to speak to police in the knowledge you will be listened to, taken seriously and fully supported.”