Legal Action Against Glasgow City Council Over Foster Care Abuse
A woman who suffered abuse while in foster care with a Glasgow family known as a "house of horrors" is preparing to take legal action against Glasgow City Council.
The woman, who has not been named, was placed as a child with Douglas and Barbara Daniel, foster carers who were sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison in March for cruelty towards children.
BBC Scotland News previously reported that Douglas Daniel, aged 78 and the brother of a notorious Glasgow crime family leader, had 26 prior criminal convictions before being approved as a foster carer by Glasgow City Council's social work department.
A spokeswoman for the council expressed apologies to anyone who experienced abuse while in local authority care and stated that the council is reviewing the specifics of this case.
Thompsons Solicitors confirmed they represent the woman pursuing legal proceedings against the council.
Documents reviewed by BBC Scotland News indicate that Glasgow City Council's social work department was aware of allegations against the Daniels as early as 1999.
Douglas Daniel is the elder brother of Jamie Daniel, who police identified as the leader of an organised crime group involved in drug trafficking and violence in Glasgow for many years. Jamie Daniel passed away from cancer in 2016.
Details of Abuse and Court Proceedings
In January, Douglas and Barbara Daniel, aged 78 and 76 respectively, were convicted of abusing six foster children aged between four and 14 years at their home in Glasgow's Parkhead area during the period from 1986 to 1991.
The victims testified that the couple, who fostered approximately 100 children, subjected them to cruel treatment such as forcing some into an animal pen, ordering one child to bathe in a bird bath, and making another eat a cow's tongue.
The couple, who later relocated to Kent, denied the allegations but were found guilty on six counts of cruel and unnatural treatment of a child at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Impact on Victims and Court Remarks
The court heard that the Daniels inflicted emotional, physical, and psychological abuse on children placed in their care as emergency placements intended for their protection.
Some victims reported being denied food, while one stated she was made to eat from the kitchen floor.
Sheriff Arrol commended the victims' courage, stating they had endured "unspeakable abuse".
She further remarked that the Daniels' home, which should have been a sanctuary, had instead become "nothing short of a house of horrors".
During sentencing, the sheriff addressed the couple:
"You robbed them of their childhood. The behaviour that you engaged in towards the children in your care was cruel, degrading and humiliating."
Following the trial, BBC Scotland News disclosed that Douglas Daniel had 26 prior convictions, including for housebreaking and car theft, at the time he was approved as a foster parent in 1986.
Sheriff Arrol commented, "It is quite remarkable that you were considered fit to foster any children."
Victims Seek Answers and Council Response
After sentencing, two victims expressed that the conviction provided them with validation but they continue to seek explanations for why they were placed with a foster carer who had a history of dishonesty.
A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman stated:
"We offer our sincere apologies to anyone who experienced abuse while in local authority care.
We expect all carers to provide a nurturing and safe environment for children and young people.
We can however provide assurance that practice standards and foster care approval arrangements have significantly improved since the 80s and 90s with far greater oversight and more rigorous assessments in place.
These assessments are also subject to internal and external scrutiny.
We are looking into the details which surround this historic case."
