Alness woman (62) who abused children in 1980s and 1990s learns fate in court
THE court sentencing of an Easter Ross woman who violently assaulted three young children has prompted a message to others: “Don’t suffer in silence”.
Elizabeth Bell (62), whose address was given in court as Milnafua in Alness, was convicted of four charges relating to three children, dating between 1982 and 1995.
The children were aged between three and 15 at the times of the assaults which occurred during the 1980s and 1990s.
She was convicted of four charges of assault and placed under supervision for 18 months and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
Bell was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to each victim.
Sheriff Neil Wilson warned her that she could have been sent to jail for the offences.
The first charge stated that on various occasions between January 1982 and December 1986, at an address in Alness she assaulted a girl, seized her by the hair and punched her on the body and hit her with a brush, also pouring cold water over her.
The second charge was that on various occasions between January 1985 and December 1988 at an address in Tain she assaulted a boy, pouring cold water over him and striking him on the head and body.
The third charge was that on various occasions between January 1988 and December 1989, at an address in Alness, she assaulted a girl, striking her on the body with a brush.
And she a fourth charge stated that between January 1994 and December 1995, at an address in Alness, she assaulted one of the girls, striking her on the body, seizing her by the hair and pulling her by the hair.
Alison McKenzie, procurator fiscal for Grampian, Highlands and Islands, said: “Elizabeth Bell violently assaulted three young children who should have been safe in her care.
“The evidence given by her victims has resulted in this conviction, which I hope brings some comfort to those affected by her offending.
“We would urge any victim of similar crime not to suffer in silence but to report it, no matter how long ago the offences occurred.
“They can be assured that COPFS is committed to securing justice using all the tools at our disposal.”
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