YVONNE KEENAN'S BRUTAL CRUELTY IN GLASGOW: CHILD ABUSE IN MARYHILL REVEALED
On May 28, 2025, a disturbing case of child abuse came to light in Glasgow, specifically within the district of Maryhill, where Yvonne Keenan, aged 56, was convicted of subjecting multiple children to severe and inhumane treatment over a period spanning several years.The court proceedings revealed a pattern of cruelty that included forcing children to eat pet food, scrape paint from ceilings to feed their hunger, and endure prolonged periods of confinement and humiliation.
Yvonne Keenan’s actions were described as both physically and emotionally damaging.
The victims, now adults, recounted their traumatic experiences, which included being made to face walls for extended durations, being kept in dark kitchens overnight, and being deprived of basic needs such as food.
One girl, now 32 years old, shared her harrowing memory of scraping paint from ceilings to feed her hungry brother, a desperate act born out of a lack of alternatives.
Another victim, aged 38, described how Keenan would physically assault her, shaking her violently during episodes of punishment.
A third individual, aged 36, recalled being poked and forced to stare at walls for long stretches, a form of psychological torment.
The court heard allegations of violence and brutality, including Keenan dragging children off beds, slapping them, and even throwing them around.
Prosecutor Sean Docherty emphasized the severity of these acts, stating, “The girl remembers the boy crying because he was so hungry and she did not know what to do,” highlighting the desperation that led to the act of scraping paint to feed him.
The charges against Keenan covered incidents from 1994 to 2001, illustrating a prolonged period of abuse.
During the trial, Keenan’s legal representative argued that she was a first-time offender, requesting background reports before sentencing.
The court, however, recognized the gravity of her actions and the lasting impact on her victims.
Bail was granted, but the sheriff underscored the seriousness of the case, emphasizing that justice needed to be served.
In a formal sentencing statement, Sheriff Hanlon sentenced Yvonne Keenan to 32 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to four charges of cruel and unnatural treatment of children.
The sheriff condemned her actions, stating, “You abused that trust in a callous way.
The offences took place over a number of years and involved vulnerable children at a time when they most needed care, protection, nurturing, and love.
Instead, you inflicted hunger, fear, humiliation, and pain, both physical and emotional.” He further acknowledged her remorse, albeit noting that she had minimized her actions and denied responsibility for some incidents.
The court considered her personal circumstances, family background, and health, along with her lack of prior convictions, before arriving at the decision.
The sheriff highlighted the ongoing psychological and emotional suffering of the victims, praising their bravery in coming forward and supporting the case.
Sheriff Hanlon explained that each individual offence could have warranted a sentence of at least a year, with some, such as the cruelty inflicted in charge three, justifying even longer imprisonment.
However, given her first-time offender status and her guilty plea, a cumulative sentence was deemed appropriate.
Consequently, Keenan was sentenced to 32 months in prison, a reduction from the initial potential of three years, with her sentence to commence immediately.
The court also ordered that she be referred to the Scottish Ministers for inclusion on the Children’s list, deeming her unsuitable to work with children under 18.
This case underscores the profound impact of child abuse and the importance of justice for victims who endured years of suffering at the hands of someone they trusted.
The court’s decision aims to serve both as punishment and a societal statement condemning such cruelty towards vulnerable children.
