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A mother, grandmother, and stepfather who subjected three children to prolonged abuse throughout their childhoods have been sentenced without jail time. Shirley Freeman, Julia Stephen, and David McColl inflicted physical and psychological torment on their victims between 2003 and 2012. Freeman, 51, and Stephen, 69, were convicted for cruel and unnatural treatment, while McColl, 50, admitted his involvement. During sentencing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Sheriff Craig Findlater acknowledged that no punishment could undo the damage suffered by the children.
Two of those affected, siblings William and Meaghann Murphy, now aged 25 and 28, recounted to BBC Scotland News how the abuse became an accepted part of their lives growing up. They described enduring beatings, starvation, and psychological cruelty in what was called a “house of terror.” Freeman was sentenced to 18 months probation, 240 hours of community service, and a 12-month restriction of liberty order instead of prison. Stephen received 150 hours of unpaid work alongside 18 months probation, while McColl was given 220 hours of unpaid work, 18 months probation, and an 11-month restriction of liberty order.
The abuse took place at residences in Balloch, Dunbartonshire, and a flat in Aberdeen’s Bedford Avenue. Evidence outlined that Freeman had been particularly brutal, often striking the children with a metal-studded belt and locking them in rooms for extended periods. Meaghann described horrific experiences such as being locked in a room, denied access to a toilet, and punished with slaps and cruel treatment. She also recalled being deprived of food for days, with cupboards locked to prevent any access to nourishment.
William and Meaghann both revealed how their early lives were marked by fear and suffering, with William explaining how he and his sister were sometimes subjected to sleep deprivation as punishment. Despite this, he said Meaghann tried to protect him from the worst of the abuse, describing her as a “protector” who took on much of the hardship herself. Both siblings now hope that by sharing their story publicly, they can support others who may be facing similar situations. They expressed a determination that their abusers’ actions would not define them or their futures
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