Couple Guilty Of Years Of Cruelty

A couple have been found guilty of inflicting years of cruelty and humiliation on seven children. It ended with the suspected suicide of one of their victims. The man and woman cannot be named to protect the identity of the children.

Antrim Crown Court was told the man beat the children, some on a near daily basis, for almost 15 years. One of the youngest victims was also threatened with being shot or stabbed if he told the authorities.

When the verdict was read out, the man stood emotionless in the dock, while the woman sat with friends and relatives. Across the courtroom, some of the children wept while others gasped and cheered at the outcome.

The couple have been released on bail until they are sentenced.