County Armagh couple jailed for child abuse

A couple from County Armagh who were found guilty of subjecting their children to 10 years of abuse have been sentenced to a total of six and a half years in prison.

The 37-year-old man, was sentenced to four and a half while his partner, aged 41 was jailed for two years.

It is understood the claims only came to light when one of the seven children apparently committed suicide. He was found dead with a rifle by his side and a gunshot to his head.

During the 27 day trial, the jury heard how the children were beaten with a belt, a rubber stick or were punched or slapped across the head.

They said the violence against them would have been triggered by a number of things including taking too much cheese in a sandwich.

Lord Justice Girvan told Antrim Crown Court the atmosphere at the home was one of fear and violence. He also said the man behaved cruelly by his consistent use of “physical violence and verbal abuse” and said the violence caused the “emotional upset and trauma” of the children.

He also said the man “must have taken some pleasure in the violence and the degree of control it gave him over the children and family.”

The woman, according to Judge Girvan, played a “passive” role and “the evidence pointed to the conclusion she was frequently a catalyst by reporting claimed breaches of discipline in the knowledge of what his likely reaction would be.”

The judge added the couple must have been aware that their treatment of the children was “wholly unacceptable”.

“They were clearly aware of this and they tried to suppress evidence and when allegations were made they pressurised the children to change their stories,” he said.

The couple have not been named to protect the identity of their children.

(JM/SP)