Mother spared jail for neglect in filthy house

The 35-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons and is pregnant with a fifth child, was sentenced yesterday for the “unspeakable” conditions she kept her young children in at their Scarborough home – described by North Yorkshire Police as among the worst they have ever seen.

The court was told officers who entered the home had to keep rushing outside for air as the smell inside was so overpowering, and were unable to go into certain rooms due to mounds of rotting rubbish.

Her children, aged between seven and 11 who have since been taken into care, were suffering from lice infestations and required medical and dental care due to the terrible conditions they were living in.

Speaking after yesterday’s hearing, Detective Sergeant Mike Moorhouse, of North Yorkshire Police’s Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit, said: “The living conditions these children were found in and their state of health was almost beyond belief and were among the worst conditions the investigating officers have ever found children living in, hence why they were removed from the house immediately.

“That any parent can allow their children to live in such squalid surroundings cannot be comprehended but it must serve as a reminder to everyone that the protection of children isn’t just the responsibility of agencies, it’s the responsibility of us all.”

The children were taken into care after an investigation by North Yorkshire Police and social care agencies, medical professionals, education and housing providers.

Anthony Dunne, prosecuting, told the court the youngsters had also been subjected to bullying from other children because of their smell.

He said: “It was in such bad a state, police officers who went to investigate had to keep dashing outside for air.

“Rubbish was piled so high in certain areas officers, who were shocked by what they saw, could not gain access to some rooms. The children were in such a condition that the police car they were taken away in had to be deep cleaned by outside contractors.

“They had not received medical or dental care for some time, leading to extensive treatment being needed.

“They were all suffering from lice infestation and it is believed the family bath had not been used for some time.

“They had also been the subject of taunting and bullying by other youngsters because of their personal hygiene.”

The children had been placed on the Child Protection Register by social services between July 2004 and March 2005, but were removed when it appeared their mother was taking steps to improve conditions.

But the home deteriorated again and the youngsters were taken into care in January last year.

Ann Mundy, defending, said the woman had experienced a troubled childhood and been taken into foster care after being physically abused by her mother.

She added: “There was never any violence shown towards the children, and although there are currently no plans to have her children returned to her, she is hopeful they can eventually return.”

Recorder Rodney Jameson QC, who described conditions at the house as “unspeakable”, sentenced the woman to 51 weeks in jail suspended for two years after she admitted four charges of neglect leading to unnecessary cruelty at a previous hearing.

She was also placed under a two-year supervision order and told to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.