The father of one of the boys told the Hawke's Bay Today following Purcell's guilty pleas that his son will have to live with the mental scars of the offending for the rest of his life.
"I felt helpless. I couldn't do anything, because he was in their care. And to be told a measly 'sorry' and to try and sweep it under the carpet, it's now something my son has to live with."
At the time, Purcell was a CYF-contracted caregiver employed by the Heretaunga Maori Executive in Hastings and cared for young people before the courts and from difficult backgrounds.
The violence included grabbing one boy by the throat and throwing him onto a couch, pulling hair out, punches to the arm and kicks to the back and stomach.
In addition, the children suffered verbal abuse and at various times were told to "shut up", "harden up", to stop being a "little bitch", "fat boy", "fat ****", "charity kid" and "little ******* peasant".
Judge Mackintosh said one of the boys reported feeling scared, intimidated and lonely while in Purcell's care.
She did, however, give Purcell credit for his insight into the offending, his remorse and the fact he was under stressful personal circumstances at the time.
She said the transition to caring for children in his home may have been "too much" for him to handle.
Despite this she said: "You shouldn't have taken your issues out on them."
