[A] WORKINGTON couple whose family home was seen to be squalid and smelly have been sentenced by a judge.
Carlisle Crown Court heard police who called at the house in mid-June found the man and woman were both intoxicated.
Officers were greeted inside with a “pervasive smell of urine” and one saw animal faeces in part of the property. Children’s toothbrushes were kept in a dirty kitchen which “had not been cleaned properly for weeks if not months”.
And in the two pre-teen youngsters’ bedrooms, mattresses were “badly stained” and there was insufficient bedding. “General squalor in these rooms, in particular,” prosecutor Gerard Rogerson told the court.
The man and woman – both aged in their 40s and of previous good character – admitted child cruelty charges and were sentenced today (THURS).
Judge Tony Lancaster heard of the defendants’ shame having been “unable to get on top” of their household chores – and their mental health problems.
However, Judge Lancaster was told the property had since been “transformed” to a “high standard”.
As a result, he imposed 12-month community orders, and ordered the couple to undergo 20-day rehabilitation requirements.
