Couple accused of abusing five children for 11 years
Cameron Cole, 48, and Phyllis Arthur, 36, are said to have compelled the children, whose ages ranged from birth to 14, to live in "squalid" conditions at a house in Grahamston - where there was also a "deceased family pet" stored in the freezer.
It is alleged one of the children was forced to eat their own excrement while another was repeatedly assaulted and threatened with prison.
Mr Cole and Ms Arthur pled not guilty to five charges of wilful neglect, contrary to the 1937 Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act, and two charges of child assault at Stirling Sheriff Court.
The offences are said to have been committed between February 2011 and February 2022.
More stories from Tayside and Central
Listen to news from Tayside and Central on BBC Sounds
The house the children lived in was said to have inadequate furnishings, rubbish and dog excrement on the floors and they were alleged to have insufficient food and drink.
One boy was said to have been maltreated from the age of four until he was 14, including being made to eat excrement, being locked in a bedroom without access to a toilet, and suffering physical assault that caused injuries.
The boy was also said to have been verbally abused and left home alone, while the couple are accused of having sex with each other in his presence.
A girl, said to have been neglected from birth to 11, was threatened with prison and injured by being punched, pulled and slapped, among several physical assaults.
Three of the youngest children are said to have been neglected from the age of one or birth and compelled to spend "excessive" periods in their cots with heavily saturated nappies.
The pair are also said to have failed to ensure the children's attendance at medical appointments, school and nursery, while the older children were left to care for younger children without adult supervision.
They are accused of rendering themselves incapable of looking after the children due to alcohol and unknown medications, as well as not engaging with social workers regarding the children.
Mr Cole faces an additional charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner.
For legal reasons, none of the children can be identified.
Sheriff Wyllie Robertson said the jury should "not be swayed" by their emotions, and decide the case "solely on the evidence presented in court."
The trial is expected to last up to two weeks.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Anti-racism demonstrators stage counter-protest outside asylum seekers hotel
Anti-racism campaigners have chanted at demonstrators protesting against 'uncontrolled illegal immigration' outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Falkirk. Stand Up to Racism Scotland, Falkirk Trades Union Council and residents said they organised the demonstration on Saturday to show that refugees are welcome in the town. It comes after the group Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures announced plans to hold a protest outside the hotel known as the Cladhan. In a social media post the group said it is 'standing against uncontrolled illegal immigration, with people being placed in our communities without transparency, accountability, or consultation'. It added: 'This is not about hate, racism, or division. This is about safety, justice, and standing up for the people of Falkirk who deserve better.' Dozens of demonstrators from each group stood on opposite sides of the road outside the hotel, with police keeping them separate. Protesters, some waving Union flags, chanted 'send them home' and anti-racism demonstrators responded with chants of 'refugees are welcome here' and 'this is what community looks like'. Stand Up to Racism Scotland organisers said: 'We are organising a peaceful counter-protest to stand in solidarity with refugees and to say that they are welcome.' They described it as a 'safely stewarded community event with music, speeches from the local community, the trade union movement, local campaigns, faith groups and others'. Demonstrators held placards with messages such as 'stop the far right', 'refugees welcome' and 'migrants make our NHS'. On the opposite side of the road protesters held signs with messages such as 'go home', 'enough is enough' and 'we want our country back'. In a previous statement Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures said it was not 'anti-refugee' or 'anti-migrant' but is 'against a broken asylum system that is impacting communities across the UK, including Falkirk'. The group said: 'We are not affiliated with any far-right groups, nor do we promote racism, hate, or division.' The Home Office did not wish to comment. Police said that Kemper Avenue in Falkirk is closed due to protest activity which began at around 11am on Saturday. A police spokesperson said: 'Officers are in attendance and engaging with those involved. 'Motorists are advised to use alternative routes.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Body found in search for man missing in River Tay
A body has been found following searches for a man who went missing in the River Tay at Perth. Emergency services had launched the search for a 27-year-old who went missing near Moncreiffe Island at about 7.45pm on Thursday. Three men had got into difficulty in the water, with two being traced and checked by paramedics. Police Scotland said on Friday a body had been found and enquiries are ongoing to establish the identity. Emergency services remain in attendance.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Edinburgh drug crime, sex offences and fire-raising on the rise
Incidents of drug crime, sexual offences, fire raising and traffic violations in Edinburgh have all risen significantly over last year, according to figures to be presented to councillors next week. Drug crime has increased 18% over last year, with 2,489 recorded incidents over 2,098 last year, while sexual offences were up 8%, from 1,219 cases last year to 1,315 this year. Fire-raising soared a dramatic 24%, with 241 recorded this year, and traffic offences were up 10%, with 9,249 cases reported. READ MORE: East Lothian armed police swoop on property near school as four arrested READ MORE: Edinburgh gangsters jailed for 101 years for sinister spate of attacks David Dourley, the senior Scottish Fire and Rescue Service officer for Edinburgh, said the service takes a 'zero-tolerance approach' to deliberate fire-setting. He continued: 'The consequences of deliberate fire-setting can be devastating – they have the potential to cause serious injury or death, as well as extensive damage to properties and our environment. 'They are also a needless drain on emergency service resources. "We continue to work with our fire investigation specialists, police and other partners in a collaborative approach to prevent these types of unwanted incidents and identify those responsible for these acts.' And speaking on the traffic offences, Green councillor Dan Heap said: 'A 10% increase in traffic related crimes compared to the past year is concerning, and reflects many road users' experience of our roads and streets as unsafe. 'That's why Green councillors are doing all they can to expand safer walking, wheeling and cycling routes and also Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.' The hike in drug crime comes as a gang war over the supply of cocaine in Edinburgh has flared in recent months. Supply of drugs was up 36%, while 34 cases of drug production were recorded, up from 21 last year. And 50 cases of bringing drugs into prison were recorded, over 22 last year. The rate at which drug crimes were solved was 97%, up from 96.4%, while 55.7% of sexual crimes were solved, over 56.1% the previous year. And on fire-raising, Edinburgh City Division was able to solve 20.3% of incidents, down from 26.2% the year previous. In the report, Edinburgh City Division commander Chief Superintendent David Robertson, who is in his first year in the post, said it 'illustrates how they meet the challenges faced in Edinburgh'. He also said: 'Undoubtedly, challenges remain and we continue to work with stakeholders, partners, and national policing teams to inform policy and achieve further reductions. 'I am delighted to report reductions in serious assault, extortion, housebreaking and vehicle theft, all of which have a profound effect on victims and the safety of our communities.' According to his statement in the report, 40 people have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal or the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration for violence on bonfire night. Several are awaiting trial, and one has been sentenced, which Chief Supt Robertson says is evidence of the success of the force's investigations into the disorder. On public confidence, the report says a satisfaction survey commissioned by the police service found that 69.9% of people had 'overall satisfaction' with the division. It also said complaints were down 5.8% over last year. The report detailed works underway to introduce body-worn cameras to the division, with a roll-out expected to begin in the next six months. Councillors will be presented with the figures at the next meeting of the Culture and Communities Committee on Thursday, August 21, which you can view here. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
