Siblings to sue Perth & Kinross Council over foster mum abuse

Digby Brown is supporting two siblings in a historic abuse claim after they were abused by their foster mum.

Last month, Jennifer Robertson was found guilty of the cruel and unnatural treatment of children in Perthshire between 1980-1995.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard the 79-year-old beat kids while her own son Steven, 52, sexually assaulted young girls in their care.

Two victims of Jennifer – a brother and sister – fear she will face “no real punishment” and have now sought legal advice to probe Perth & Kinross Council over any failings that allowed the abuse to happen.

In a joint statement the siblings said: “To this day, we still carry the trauma of what happened.

“The abuse in that home changed the course of our lives forever, and it was undoubtedly for the worse.

“Jennifer used to shove food down our throats with her fingers and humiliated us.

“We survived in that house together and only had each other yet that woman broke us to such extent that we couldn’t even be near each other for fear of remembering.

“The pressure and pain that comes from living your life behind a mask or compartmentalising… it’s overwhelming and paralysing.

“Reliving our experiences for the prosecution was an extremely painful experience and at times it felt like our trauma only worsened.

“But knowing our evidence was helping convict our abuser – and that it may help others come forward – is what gave us the strength to keep going.

“Luckily, we have been able to overcome what was affecting us so we can now stand together to face our demons, and those demons have names – Jennifer and Steven.”

The trial for the Robertsons lasted more than a week at the High Court in Edinburgh after they both pleaded not guilty.

Jurors convicted the pair after hearing evidence that Jennifer physically beat the siblings while Steven sexually assaulted and raped other children in their care.

Judge John Morris KC remanded Steven in custody and bailed Jennifer but warned the woman she could still be jailed.

The sentencing is expected to take place later this month.

Both siblings were instrumental in helping police snare the mother and son and each secured convictions for what they endured.

The siblings added: “But we cannot forget the failures of the social work department in all this.

“We reported things when we were aged just nine and four, but were ignored, disbelieved and put to one side.

“Perth & Kinross Council knew for decades and did nothing and we won’t rest until someone at the council admits they failed us.”

The abuse came to light in 2018 after police were alerted to the Robertsons’ past activities.

It sparked an intensive investigation that resulted in as many as six people stepping forward to give evidence to police.

Their bravery in speaking out resulted in multiple criminal charges being brought against the Robertsons.

Digby Brown Solicitors is now investigating Perth & Kinross Council for any wrongdoing they may be liable for which allowed the abuse to happen.

Senior Associate Catherine Hammond is supporting the two siblings.

She said: “The Robertson conviction highlights yet again the devastating impact of sustained abuse on vulnerable children and the critical importance of robust safeguarding.

“When children are placed in foster care, the local authority assumes legal responsibility for their safety.

“If warning signs were missed or concerns were not acted upon, those systemic failures must now be fully examined.

“Our priority is to ensure survivors receive the answers, accountability, and recognition they have been denied for decades.”

Further reporting on this story can be found on STV and The Courier.