ELANE ROBERTSON'S HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN EDINBURGH AND FIFE REVEALED
In September 2010, a disturbing case of child abuse involving Elaine Robertson, a woman from Edinburgh now residing in Cupar, Fife, came to light during a court hearing.Robertson, aged 37 at the time, was sentenced after admitting to severe neglect and assaulting three young children, two boys aged 11 and a girl aged 12, in her Edinburgh home.
According to court reports, Robertson was found guilty of preventing the children from escaping a small, confined cupboard where they had been forcibly detained.
The abuse was reportedly captured on a mobile phone by her partner, Gary Marinello, who was previously residing at Drumbryden Gardens, West Hailes, Edinburgh.
Marinello, aged 32, was accused of subjecting the children to a brutal regime of torture, which included tying them up with belts, bandages, and electric cables, and restraining them to a radiator, a gate, and even to each other.
The catalogue of cruelty extended further, with allegations that Marinello burned the girl’s nose and threatened to burn her eyes with a cigarette.
He also reportedly threatened to drop a computer console on her head.
The children endured physical violence, including punches, kicks, and spitting, and were beaten with a shoe.
They were also subjected to overnight confinement in a tiny cupboard, adding to the trauma they suffered.
Elaine Robertson was charged with assaulting the two 11-year-old boys and the 12-year-old girl.
During the proceedings at the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Lord Tyre sentenced her to two years of probation, choosing not to impose a custodial sentence.
The judge emphasized that this was an opportunity for Robertson to seek the help she needed, stating, “This is an opportunity you have been given to be provided with the help that you need.” In addition to her residence in Cupar, Robertson’s background includes working at a charity shop.
The case also revealed that Marinello, who was awaiting trial, died in June from a drugs overdose.
His death occurred before he could face justice for his alleged crimes.
The abuse only came to light after social workers visited the Edinburgh flat and observed the injuries sustained by the children.
A leading paediatrician described one of the boys’ injuries as the worst case of non-accidental trauma she had ever encountered.
Robertson’s legal representative, Edith Forrest, acknowledged during the court proceedings that her client recognized her actions as criminal, indicating some level of remorse or awareness of the severity of her conduct.
