A couple who forced children to eat soap and scavenge for scraps, have been convicted following a lengthy trial.

Andrew Hadwin and Cheryl Pickles subjected the children to prolonged physical and emotional abuse over the course of several years.

The County Durham couple’s offending came to light in 2018 when one of the children disclosed what had happened and an investigation by Durham Constabulary was launched.

Hadwin, 39, and Pickles, 35, were charged with several offences of child neglect and sexual activity with a child, and one count of perverting the course of justice.

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Hadwin was also charged with three counts of rape in relation to non-recent abuse of another child.

During the seven-week trial, Teesside Crown Court heard from medical experts who described how the children regularly suffered painful injuries, with one child left with life-limiting injuries as a result of the abuse.

The pair, of Bowburn, in Durham, would also order takeaways and make the children watch them eat them while stood in stress positions for long periods of time.

Jurors also heard how the couple wrote letters, which were given to police, claiming to be from the children in which they apologised for lying and were sorry, and made false allegations of sexual assault by professionals working to support them.

However, a handwriting expert confirmed the writing was not that of a child, and that the letters had actually been written in a notebook found at the couple’s home.

After three days of deliberations, the jury found Hadwin guilty of three counts of rape, seven counts of neglect, and one count of perverting the course of justice. He was found not guilty of sexual activity with a child.

Pickles was found guilty of five counts of child cruelty and one of perverting the course of justice. She was found not guilty of sexual activity with a child.

During the police investigation, which spanned four years and involved more than 150 witnesses, detectives found they had repeatedly abused the children by making them eat soap, locking them in cupboards, forcing them into boiling hot showers and baths - sometimes submerging their heads under the water - and withdrawing their access to food.

Speaking after the verdicts, Detective Inspector Tonya Cook, who led the investigation, said: “This was an extensive and lengthy investigation drawing together evidence from partner agencies, experts, and neighbours.

“This was a distressing case in which all witnesses, partners, and the police have shown high levels of professionalism to ensure justice is achieved for these children.”

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Detective Constable Kat Pudney, of Durham Constabulary’s Safeguarding Unit, added: “I want to highlight how incredibly brave these children have been throughout this lengthy investigation - their strength to stand up to their abusers must be commended.

“One of Hadwin’s victims is now a young woman – she has shown incredible bravery in reliving her ordeal many years later. I hope she finds some comfort that her attacker has now been convicted and remanded.”

The pair were remanded in custody to be sentenced on Friday, April 28 at Teesside Crown Court.