Parents forced boy, 11, to live in filthy coal bunker

A mother and stepfather who forced their 11-year-old son to live in a filthy converted coal bunker are behind bars.

Bullied and constantly hungry, the traumatised child was made to live and sleep in the room described as a “cell” by social workers, and reduced to using a potty as he was locked up at night until morning, Preston Crown Court heard.

The room was described as “freezing” with no heating, a bare lightbulb, concrete walls and floor. The child was left to sleep on a dirty mattress.