Peterborough: Stepmum Jailed For Abuse

10 October 2013, 09:05 | Updated: 10 October 2013, 09:51

*Warning: Some of the content is disturbing

A Stepmother who subjected her young children to a catalogue of abuse has been jailed.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted of eight counts of child cruelty over a period of several years in Peterborough.

She made one of them stand for long periods of time in a star shape with bells tied to her hands, listening to her on a baby monitor and would beat her if she was heard to move.

On one occasion she put one of the children in a bin outside the house, causing her to wet herself.
 
The court also heard she would make one of the victims sleep in a cupboard, would beat them for changing the television channel and forced one child to have cold showers.

After years of abuse the victims finally plucked up the courage to speak out.

The woman, denied 12 charges of cruelty but was convicted of eight counts following a trial at Peterborough Crown Court.

She was jailed for a total of three-and-a-half years on Wednesday (October 2).

Detective Constable Dave West, who investigated, said: "It took great courage and resolve for both victims to come forward many years after the abuse to give evidence in court.

"I hope the victims in the case are now able to close this chapter of their lives and move forward knowing that justice has been done."