Cared for ungovernable defendants fans abandoned (6)
I believe the answer is:
tended
'cared for' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tended that I've seen before include "Was inclined to have taken care of" , "Cared for or looked after" , "Had leaning toward, or looke after" , "Inclined or leaned towards" , "Took care of, had certain inclination" .)