Abuse accused claims he agreed plan with wife

A father of five accused of the abuse and neglect of his children has claimed he and his wife had a plan that he “would take the blame for everything” to avoid the children going into care.

The 42-year-old man said seeing his children give evidence via video link was the first time he had seen them since they were taken into care in 2007. He said he did not know where his wife is now.