Couple admit campaign of torture

Sentence was deferred until 17 November

A couple have pleaded guilty to beating and torturing a man over a four-week period at a house in the Highlands.

Selina Kay, 25, and her boyfriend Martin Ferris, 28, forced Charles Kelman into a bath filled with bleach in a campaign which began on 9 May.

They befriended the 32-year-old man and threatened to harm his mother if he told anyone about the abuse.

At the High Court in Aberdeen, the couple were remanded in custody for sentencing on 17 November.

The couple shared a flat with Mr Kelman in Aberdeen before moving to Alness in January.

He was terrified of both the accused and frightened that they would hurt his family Advocate Depute Geoffrey Mitchell

The pair were arrested after witnesses saw Miss Kay attacking the victim for failing to buy them a bottle of vodka.

Mr Kelman suffered from depression and anxiety and was taking medication for his condition.

He was said to have suffered a sustained period of abuse including being hit with metal bars, cut with a knife and kicked and beaten for missing his medication.

Advocate Depute Geoffrey Mitchell described Mr Kelman as "vulnerable".

"One searches for a reason for this behaviour and it seems that according to Mr Kelman, he was terrified of both the accused and frightened that they would hurt his family," he said.

Knife cuts

"He said he felt trapped and did not know where to go or how to get out of the situation."

The court heard that Mr Kelman's bedroom windows were painted white and screwed shut.

The victim was forced to strip naked and climb into a bath of cold water.

He was then sprayed with cleaning fluid which got into his eyes, mouth and open cuts.

Mr Mitchell said when Miss Kay cut the victim with a knife, she asked Mr Ferris if she was doing well.

Mr Kelman was treated in Raigmore Hospital for three weeks

He is alleged to have replied "brilliant".

Mr Mitchell said the pair seemed to have been aroused by the incident.

Mr Kelman was also assaulted by Miss Kay when he returned home without a bottle of vodka she had requested.

Police and passers-by noticed his injuries when he was sent out again for the alcohol. Officers stopped him and called an ambulance.

He was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and was treated for extensive bruising, a broken leg and cuts all over his body.

Mr Kelman was discharged three weeks later, but is said suffer flashbacks and is afraid to go out in public.

Lord Kingarth remanded Mr Ferris, described as a prisoner in Inverness, and Miss Kay, of Averon Road, Alness, in custody.

Sentence was deferred for background reports.