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Victims describe 'house of terror' abuse by mother, grandmother and stepfather

The victims have spoken about the abuse they experienced as children A mother, grandmother and stepfather who subjected three children to years of abuse in a "house of terror" have avoided jail. Shirley Freeman, Julia Stephen and David McColl's victims were beaten, starved and psychologically tormented between 2003 and 2012. Freeman, 51, and Stephen, 69, […]

By deepak · August 24, 2026 · 2 min read

The victims have spoken about the abuse they experienced as children

A mother, grandmother and stepfather who subjected three children to years of abuse in a "house of terror" have avoided jail.

Shirley Freeman, Julia Stephen and David McColl's victims were beaten, starved and psychologically tormented between 2003 and 2012.

Freeman, 51, and Stephen, 69, were earlier found guilty of cruel and unnatural treatment. McColl, 50, admitted the crimes.

At Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Sheriff Craig Findlater said no sentence could "repair the awful childhoods" of the trio's victims.

Warning: This article contains descriptions of child abuse

One of their victims, Rebekah Simpson, 23, said the abuse she received has had a lifelong impact on her mental and physical health.

She said she felt that court did not fully consider the impact the experience has had on her – but she was not disappointed with the sentences.

"Not having to speak to them again is justice for me," she said.

"I want to be able to walk the streets and know they will be punished if they try and approach me."

Her siblings, William and Meaghann Murphy, who are now 25 and 28, told BBC Scotland News the violence and cruelty they experienced as children became normal.

Shirley Freeman was found guilty of cruel and unnatural treatment

Freeman was sentenced to 18 months probation, 240 hours of unpaid work, and a 12-month restriction of liberty order, as a direct alternative to custody.

Stephen was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and given 18 months probation.

And McColl was sentenced to 220 hours of unpaid work, 18 months probation, and an 11-month restriction of liberty order, as a direct alternative to custody.

Source: Read the original article on www.bbc.co.uk