DEPRAVED FOSTER DUO SENTENCED FOR DECADES OF CHILD ABUSE
Sandra Harper and Andrew Harper, both aged 63, were found guilty of numerous child abuse charges after a two-week trial at Peterhead Sheriff Court last month.Sandra Harper was responsible for physically and emotionally abusing five children at their home in Cairnbulg, Aberdeenshire, during a period spanning from 1985 to 2002.
Victims reported that Sandra repeatedly struck a boy, forced a child to eat vomit, and poured soap into a child's mouth.
She also repeatedly shouted, swore, and uttered offensive remarks, causing psychological trauma over many years.
One victim recounted, "Sandra Harper repeatedly struck one boy on the head and body from the age of five, rubbing his face in urine-soaked bedding and pushing him, causing him to hit his head on a wardrobe." Sandra's acts included causing a child to wet herself by refusing bathroom access, shouting, swearing, and threatening, over a six-year span.
She also attacked a girl starting from age three, forcing her to eat spat-out food and vomit, grabbing her by hair, dragging her, and hitting her across 16 years.
Andrew Harper was convicted of assaulting the same child by grabbing her and shouting at her over two years, as well as pulling another child from a bed and physically assaulting him in 1999.
Sandra was also found guilty of repeatedly assaulting and threatening another child, including acts such as banging her head and verbally abusing her, all occurring over multiple years.
The pair were collectively convicted of 10 charges following the trial.
Victims, now adults, expressed their relief at finally achieving justice, although some noted the failure of social services to intervene earlier.
One survivor said, “It was sickening when I saw them again in court.
I was physically sick in the toilets.” Another described his feelings: “Seeing Sandra Harper and hearing her voice again takes you back to that place.
Your heart starts pounding.
Your mouth is dry.
You feel scared.
These are horrible people who have no accountability for what they’ve done and no shame.” Sandra Harper’s abuse extended over 14 years for one victim, where she repeatedly uttered threats and physically assaulted him, dragging him across the room and calling him names despite a genetic condition affecting his coordination.
She also refused to allow another child to use the bathroom for six years, leading to emotional and developmental trauma.
Andrew Harper was convicted of assaulting one child by grabbing and shouting at him for two years and another child in 1999 by grabbing him from a bed.
A key witness, another former foster child, detailed her fear growing up with Sandra and Andrew, stating that she saw her sister being abused and bullied daily, which she described as criminal behavior.
She added, “I was told that if I ever spoke out, I would destroy the family and be on my own,” but finally found the courage to testify in court.
The victims hoped that their stories would prevent similar abuse in the future, emphasizing that “local authorities need to open their eyes and children need to be heard,” and expressed concern that social workers of their time did not intervene.
The authorities, including an Aberdeenshire Council spokesman, stated that they constantly review their policies to ensure the safety of children in their care.
Sandra and Andrew Harper are scheduled to be sentenced this month for their crimes.
