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Former Gloucestershire foster carer Eunice Spry was convicted yesterday of multiple charges of abuse and cruelty towards children in her care, all of whom she was given parental responsibility for.

Spry, who was convicted at Bristol Crown Court, carried out the abuse over a 20-year period on three children, each of whom she either adopted or was given a residence order for.

Following the verdict, Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board admitted that though the children were seen by many different professionals, few provided a consistent presence, and that information was not shared.

Chair Jo Grills said: “It was impossible for anyone to have a clear picture.”

Before being approved as a foster carer for Gloucesteshire Council, Spry was a childminder and also privately fostered children.

Grills added: “Eunice Spry is someone who other parents trusted with their children. She deliberately set out to deceive those parents and all of the agencies involved over a 20-year period.”

Spry will be sentenced on April 10 for 26 charges of child cruelty, unlawful wounding, actual bodily harm, perverting the course of justice and witness intimidation.

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