Wolverhampton pair admit abusing young girl for three years

The man and woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, confessed they mistreated the youngster at a property in the city.

Sitting at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday, prosecutor Mr Geoff Whelan said: "This is an extremely grave case of child cruelty."

The defendants, who came before Judge Amjad Nawaz, admitted a child cruelty charge when they appeared at the Pipers Row court.

The girl, who is under 16, was abused by the 44-year-old man and the 38-year-old woman between January 1, 2010, and November 6, 2013.

The defendants failed to clothe her adequately, as well as make sure her hair was free from head lice, the court was told.

They failed to seek medical treatment for the young girl when necessary, along with ensuring she was washed, bathed and fed sufficiently.

She was also locked out of the house and forced to sleep in an outbuilding during the years of neglect, the court heard.

The pair, who were released on bail and forced to surrender their passports, admitted cruelty to a person under 16 years.

Judge Nawaz adjourned the case until October 23 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared, along with a victim impact statement and update from the child's foster carers.

A spokesman for Wolverhampton council said: “The council has ensured that the child in this case was protected and safeguarded.”