How Could You? Hall of Shame-Scotland-Gillian Murray

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Edinburgh, Scotland, foster carer, Gillian Murray,”was found guilty of using cruel and unnatural treatment towards the young victims following a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The 59-year-old’s abuse took place in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, between 1995 and 2011.

The court was told how Murray repeatedly abused one child, who was aged between five and seven at the time.

She forced the boy to eat food alone on the floor while also withholding food on other occasions.

Murray refused to allow him access to other rooms in the house and prevented him from using the bathroom causing him to wet the bed.

She also failed to provide him with toys and prevented him from going outside to play.

The carer subjected a second boy, aged between six months and five years old, to a similar pattern of abuse as well as shouting at him and dressing him in ill-fitting clothing to his injury.

Two further children were abused by Murray, who did not comfort them when they cried and failed to wash them.

Following evidence from a former neighbour, Murray was also convicted of abusing further children, whose identities are currently unknown.

She forced them outside whilst dressed inappropriately for the weather before refusing to let them back in.

Today (7 August 2025) Murray was sentenced to 300 hours Community Payback Order.

Neil Almond, interim Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders, said:

“Gillian Murray was responsible for the care of vulnerable children and trusted to look after them. She instead contributed to their trauma through her cruel and abusive treatment.

“This prosecution would not have been possible without the victims reporting their experiences and giving evidence.

“The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is committed to robustly prosecuting non-recent allegations of abuse of children.

“I would urge anyone who has experienced similar offending to come forward and report it, regardless of how long ago the offences took place.

“You will be listened to and supported as we use all the tools available to us to establish a public record of the abuse experienced and the harm caused.””

Foster carer subjected vulnerable children to cruel and unnatural treatment
[Crown Office and Procurator of Fiscal Services 8/7/25]

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