Couple accused of abusing five children for 11 years
The offences are said to have been committed between February 2011 and February 2022.
The house the children lived in was said to have inadequate furnishings, rubbish and dog excrement on the floors and they were alleged to have insufficient food and drink.One boy was said to have been maltreated from the age of four until he was 14, including being made to eat excrement, being locked in a bedroom without access to a toilet, and suffering physical assault that caused injuries.The boy was also said to have been verbally abused and left home alone, while the couple are accused of having sex with each other in his presence.A girl, said to have been neglected from birth to 11, was threatened with prison and injured by being punched, pulled and slapped, among several physical assaults. Three of the youngest children are said to have been neglected from the age of one or birth and compelled to spend "excessive" periods in their cots with heavily saturated nappies.
Further accusations
The pair are also said to have failed to ensure the children's attendance at medical appointments, school and nursery, while the older children were left to care for younger children without adult supervision.They are accused of rendering themselves incapable of looking after the children due to alcohol and unknown medications, as well as not engaging with social workers regarding the children.Mr Cole faces an additional charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner.For legal reasons, none of the children can be identified.Sheriff Wyllie Robertson said the jury should "not be swayed" by their emotions, and decide the case "solely on the evidence presented in court."The trial is expected to last up to two weeks.
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