Victims Express Outrage Over Sentencing of Foster Carer and Son
Individuals abused by a foster carer and her son have described the sentences they received as "utterly insulting".
Jennifer Robertson, aged 79, subjected children as young as 10 months to abuse, including physical assaults and forcing food down their throats, at a property in Perthshire between 1980 and 1995.
Her son, Steven Robertson, 52, sexually abused several girls between 1986 and 1995, sometimes in collaboration with his late father, Alan Robertson. Additionally, Steven sexually assaulted another girl in the Dundee area between 2015 and 2017.
Steven Robertson was sentenced to 11 years in prison, while Jennifer Robertson received 250 hours of unpaid work. Both were convicted on nine charges last month.
The High Court in Edinburgh was informed that Jennifer Robertson "failed to take steps" to prevent her son from assaulting and raping one of the girls on multiple occasions between 1988 and 1995.
During the trial, jurors heard that Jennifer, who has 10 grandchildren, inflicted painful physical assaults on the complainants.
Some victims, present in court during sentencing, were visibly emotional, weeping as the accused stood before them.
'Unfair and Unjust'
Following the sentencing on Friday, law firm Digby Brown released a statement on behalf of siblings who were victims.
"This sentence makes us sick. We live with what happened every single day even feeling scared in our own homes.
Yet Jennifer gets to sit at home with her feet up like nothing has happened.
It is unfair and unjust to put victims through the pain of giving evidence when the outcome doesn't justify the means because for us, a conviction is not enough."
The statement further criticized the community sentence given to Jennifer Robertson and the reduced jail term for her son, calling it "a slap in the face to every survivor."
"We don't accept any mitigating factors for these abusers having minimal records because of course they do - their crimes were hidden for years until we spoke out.
But to then use that as reason to justify a more lenient sentence is utterly insulting.
The criminal sentencing guidelines need ripped up and reformed because if judges follow guidelines that leave victims in pain then maybe that's a clear sign the guidelines need changed."
Judge's Remarks on Sentencing
Judge John Morris KC, while sentencing, acknowledged the "devastating impact" the offences had on the victims.
He stated that Jennifer Robertson was in a position of trust when she inflicted "quite appalling" abuses on the children under her care.
"It is clear your victims have suffered severe harm and continue to suffer severe trauma.
You show a complete lack of remorse even for the things you admit doing."
The judge noted he was "quite sure" the victims would have preferred a custodial sentence for Jennifer Robertson but refrained from imposing one due to her age and the time elapsed since the offences.
Regarding Steven Robertson, the judge said:
"You continue to deny any wrongdoing but you must appreciate I am required to sentence you in line with the jury's verdict.
I must also have regard to the serious harm you have done to the victims."
Steven Robertson received an extended sentence of 11 years imprisonment plus a three-year extension for public protection, especially of young girls. He was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Both defendants were issued non-harassment orders concerning their victims.
'Lifelong Consequences'
Faye Cook, procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offences, remarked:
"Jennifer Robertson had a clear duty to protect the young people in her care and to keep them safe as an approved foster carer.
Instead, she caused profound harm through sustained cruelty and abuse, including enabling others to sexually abuse the children."
She continued:
"Steven Robertson's predatory behaviour went unchecked, allowing him to systematically abuse and rape these young girls over a number of years.
Their actions have had lifelong consequences for those affected, and I am grateful to the survivors for the courage they have shown throughout the prosecution process."
Detective Constable Ursula Honeyman described the investigation as "harrowing and complex" and expressed sympathy for the victims.
