A MAN AND WOMAN WHO LEFT FOUR YOUNG CHILDREN HUNGRY IN A RUBBISH-STREWN HOUSE HAVE BOTH BEEN JAILED FOR A YEAR
Shane Curran, aged 47, and Nicola McCall, aged 44, were convicted of child neglect, with three of the children suffering physical abuse while residing in a residence located in Glasgow's south side.One of the children recounted being compelled to steal money just to obtain food.
During the trial, the court was informed that the children had been exposed to drugs, including amphetamines, within the household.
Additionally, a girl testified that McCall physically assaulted her, describing it as being 'rag-dolled.' Both Curran and McCall had previously been convicted by a jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court of intentionally mistreating and neglecting all four children, as well as assaulting one girl.
The jury also found Curran guilty of assaulting a boy, while McCall was convicted of assaulting another girl.
These offenses took place between April 2010 and August 2016.
Both individuals were sentenced to 12 months in jail by Sheriff Stuart Reid, who remarked that custody was the only suitable option considering the severity of the crimes.
In her address to the jury, Crown prosecutor Carrie Stevens described a persistent failure by the defendants to ensure the safety and comfort of the children while in their care.
The house was characterised as chaotic and below standard.
During the trial, pre-recorded testimonies from the children detailed their harrowing experiences.
One girl described the house as 'disgusting' and stated that Curran and McCall did not clean or appear to care about the state of their home.
The court noted that there was often no food in the cupboards, and the children were regularly deprived of nourishment.
The girl recounted having to steal £100 to provide food for herself and the others for approximately two days.
Furthermore, two of the children suffered from severe head lice.
Jurors were shown evidence of physical violence, with some victims being punched, kicked, pulled, and dragged by the hair.
Both Curran and McCall’s moods were reported to change when they used drugs.
In one incident involving McCall, a girl described being 'rag-dolled' thrown to the ground and hit her head against a door.
The court also heard that illegal drugs found in the house were left openly accessible, and one girl was left unsupervised on a balcony at one point.
Prosecutor Stevens pointed out that the children felt that Curran and McCall 'did not care, so they did anything they wanted,' which encapsulated their attitude.
Both defendants denied the allegations, asserting that the children fabricated the stories of violence.
Counsel for Curran, Elaine Rae, acknowledged some neglect but expressed remorse, stating that Curran felt disgusted with himself.
Neil Shand, defending McCall, stated that she genuinely cared about the children and believed they are now better off, noting the impact these events had on her.
