A foster carer convicted of abusing children in her care has been released from prison after successfully appealing her sentence on grounds of health and age. Barbara Daniel, 76, and her husband Douglas were found guilty in January 2026 of abusing six foster children aged between four and 14 at their Glasgow home between 1986 and 1991. Her original 30-month prison term was reduced to approximately five-and-a-half months, allowing her immediate release after time already served.
The couple fostered approximately 100 children over their years as carers. According to the Crown Office, they were convicted on 27 January 2026 of six charges each following trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court. The abuse included verbal abuse, physical assaults, confinement in rooms, and placing children in animal enclosures.
Solicitor Rhona Phillips, representing survivors through the Irwin Mitchell Scotland law firm in ongoing civil action against Glasgow City Council, expressed the victims' distress at the appeal outcome.
It was acknowledged that Barbara Daniel's conduct caused significant harm to her victims - however this is of little comfort to survivors of abuse at her hands given the significant reduction in her sentence. Her counsel highlighted health concerns due to her advanced age, however throughout the criminal trial the survivors I spoke with said there was no regard shown to their own age and vulnerabilities at the time of offending, so they are deeply disappointed and angry about this decision.
What happened during the abuse?
Sheriff Louise Arrol described the couple's home as "nothing short of a house of horrors" during sentencing. The court heard testimony of systematic cruelty inflicted on vulnerable children. One young girl with a fear of chickens was locked inside a chicken coop. Another victim was forced to stand outside with geese that would nip at her skin, leaving marks that "would not go away." Some children reported not being fed by the Daniels, with one claiming she ate from the kitchen floor.
According to reporting on the case, the abuse spanned the period from 1986 to 1991. A 47-year-old man who stayed with the couple described Barbara as the "boss" while retired car mechanic Douglas was characterised as a "scary physical man."
How did the couple come to be foster carers?
Douglas Daniel had 26 convictions on his record—including for housebreaking and car theft—when he and his wife began fostering children. This criminal history raised serious questions about vetting procedures and safeguarding decisions made at the time. The couple were aged 80 and 75 respectively at the time of their conviction in January 2026.
What was the original sentence and why was it reduced?
Both Barbara and Douglas Daniel were sentenced to 30 months in prison on 9 March 2026. Barbara Daniel lodged an appeal citing her health and advanced age. On Tuesday, at the Sheriff Appeal Court in Edinburgh, her original sentence was quashed and replaced with a substitute sentence of 162 days—roughly five-and-a-half months—backdated to 9 March 2026. This calculation meant she had already served sufficient time in custody and was eligible for immediate release.
Her husband Douglas's sentence was not mentioned in the appeal decision, leaving his custodial status unclear. The significant reduction in Barbara Daniel's sentence—from 30 months to approximately 5.5 months—has drawn sharp criticism from survivors and their legal representatives.
What is Glasgow City Council's response?
According to recent reporting, Glasgow City Council said it is investigating a 1999 complaint about Daniel and reviewing what it knew about her criminal background in light of the case. This investigation suggests potential failures in safeguarding procedures and background checks that allowed the couple to foster children despite Douglas Daniel's extensive criminal record.
Key Facts
- Barbara Daniel's 30-month sentence was reduced to 162 days on appeal, allowing her immediate release after time served
- The couple abused six children aged 4-14 between 1986 and 1991, with abuse including confinement, animal enclosures, and deprivation of food
- Douglas Daniel had 26 prior convictions including housebreaking and car theft when the couple began fostering approximately 100 children
- Abuse survivors and their legal representatives expressed deep anger at the sentence reduction, citing the lack of consideration shown to victims' age and vulnerabilities during the original crimes
- Glasgow City Council is investigating a 1999 complaint about Daniel and reviewing its vetting procedures
