Paul Ilet: The trio face a variety of charges

The three, one man and two women, who have not been named by police, were among five people arrested on Thursday as part of an inquiry at the Old Convent, Bicknacre, near Chelmsford, Essex.

The two women, aged 39 and 59, each face four charges of cruelty to children and two charges of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

A 26-year-old man from Cornwall has been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm in July 1989 as well as common assault between January 1993 and December 1994.

He has also been accused of the ill-treatment of a young person between January 1989 and December 1991 and unlawful imprisonment between January 1993 and December 1993.

All three have been bailed to appear before Chelmsford Magistrates on 18 March.

Two 61-year-old women who were also arrested were released on bail on Friday pending further inquiries.