A heartless couple have been jailed after refusing to give them food and forcing two young boys to stand for hours in torturous "stress positions."
Serena Sibson-Bartram, 34, and Darren Paisley, 39, were arrested after one of the boy's schools raised concerns for their welfare in May 2018.
A police and social services investigation found the pair had put the youngsters through a horrific campaign of abuse over the space of four years.
During this time, they mistreated the boys, denied them food and forced them to stand for hours on end in stress positions – a known method of torture and interrogation.
Those in stress positions are forced to put a huge amount of weight on just one or two muscles, for example being forced to stand on the balls of their feet and then squat half way above the ground.
Paisley and Sibson-Bartram, of Telford, Shrops, were both charged with four counts of child neglect and were found guilty following a trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
Paisley was jailed for seven-and-a-half-years while Sibson-Bartram was caged for six-and-a half years at the same court today (Fri).
A third defendant Samantha Paisley, 35, of Telford, pleaded guilty to child neglect and had her sentencing adjourned.
Detective Constable Vicky Fisher, of West Mercia Police, said: “This was a very distressing case for many people involved.
“Thankfully, by working with Telford and Wrekin Children’s Services, we were able to remove the boys from harm.
“The defendants showed no remorse for their tremendously cruel crimes against innocent young boys they were supposed to care and protect.
“We hope these sentences provide closure and allows everyone involved, especially the two boys, to take their lives forward.
“We are incredibly grateful to the many witnesses who came forward to provide evidence and we commend their bravery in helping achieve justice for the boys.
“We are especially thankful for the school who raised their concerns and urge anyone who has any worries at all about the welfare of a child to please get in touch.”
