Siblings to sue council over historic abuse following scrapping of limitation period

Three sisters are suing Glasgow council bosses over alleged abuse by their foster parents under a new law scrapping the limitation period on bringing a claim.

The siblings allege that John and Alma Cassidy would beat and sexually assault children at the foster home in Glasgow.

Council bosses ordered Mr Cassidy to leave the house after three women with allegations of sexual abuse came forward as adults.

However, officials never checked on him again, which allowed him to return home where, the siblings said, he abused them.

In a statement made via their lawyer at Digby Brown Solicitors, the three sisters said: “We believe Glasgow City Council are at fault as they selected and paid the Cassidys to care for us and are in disbelief at how easy it was for John’s abuse to continue even after they were alerted to the risk he posed to us.

“It makes us wonder how many other abusive fosterers are out there, but also how many survivors have been let down not just in Glasgow but potentially across the country.”

The claim became possible after the Scottish government introduced the Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Act last month.

Kim Leslie, partner and specialist abuse lawyer at Digby Brown , said: “As a foster parent John Cassidy held one of the most responsible roles in society.

“However we believe he abused his position to repeatedly assault children in his care over a number of years.

“Initial investigations of Glasgow City Council’s own files show it was made aware John Cassidy was a potential risk to minors but we believe it did not take appropriate protective measures which resulted in the continued sexual abuse of the children.

“We can confirm we have intimated three claims for vicarious liability in relation to historic childhood abuse but it would inappropriate to discuss further details at this time.”