A cruel foster carer has been found guilty of forcing children to eat their own vomit.
Rachel Lessels, 72, attacked and mistreated three youngsters at her former home on School Brae, Letham, between 2006 and 2009.
Two of the pensioner’s victims – now adults – recalled the horror of being forced to eat their own vomit.
One of the victims said his mouth began to bleed after Lessels shoved a fork containing food into his mouth.
Lessels is now facing a prison sentence after a jury returned guilty verdicts on five charges at Dundee Sheriff Court.
All sentencing options ‘open’
Sheriff Paul Brown said: “In light of the verdict of the jury, I will have to call for background reports.
“You have no previous convictions, you have never been sent to prison before. I will continue your bail but you should understand that all sentencing options are open.”
The court heard how Lessels was responsible for over 50 children between 2004 until the allegations came to light in 2017.
She claimed the two victims who gave evidence against her were lying, adding that she would “never” have harmed them.
Wilful ill-treatment
Lessels, of Myreside Avenue, Kennoway, was found guilty of wilfully ill-treating the first victim between May 2006 and October 2008 by shouting at him, forcing him to stand for long periods of time and forcing him to sit on the floor.
He had his head seized by Lessels during the same time before having food and vomit forced into his mouth.
The jury cleared Lessels of destroying his personal possessions, forcing him to walk outside naked, striking his head against a cupboard, seizing his genitals and forcing a soiled nappy into his mouth.
Lessels was convicted of acting aggressively, forcing the second victim to stand for long periods of time and making them eat vomit between May and July 2009.
During the same time period, Lessels seized the same victim’s neck and arm.
She was cleared of forcing the second victim’s head under water for periods of time.
Lessels was also found guilty of forcing a third victim to stand for periods of time.
The pensioner was found not proven of a sixth charge of forcing her fingernails into the ears of the third complainer.
Sentence was deferred on Lessels until November for reports to be prepared. Her bail order was allowed to continue.
