Internet gaming parents jailed

The pair became engrossed in online games

Two young parents who were addicted to internet gaming have been jailed for three months after they admitted neglecting their four small children.

Arbroath Sheriff Court was told the case was one of the worst ever seen by police and social workers.

The neglect of the children, all aged under eight, came to light earlier this year when a neighbour spotted two of them standing naked on a window ledge.

Police and social workers found the house in an extremely dirty condition.

The youngest child's nappy was heavily soiled, the others were barely dressed and dirty.

Afterwards, two of the children required emergency dental surgery. One had to have all of her teeth removed.

It emerged that the 28-year-old man spent all his waking hours playing online games. His wife also became engrossed in internet gaming.

Home support

In sentencing, Sheriff Norrie Stein told the couple it was a case of neglect as bad as could be imagined.

"In one of the reports, the level of neglect was described as appalling, which I think is a fair description and one of the worst witnessed by police and social workers," he said.

"This neglect appears to have occurred over a significant period and despite extensive home support, clothing and laundry services, and parenting classes, you have clearly chosen to disregard your children."

He added: "The reports say there is difficulty in identifying a community based disposal, and I'm afraid to say, for you two, there is no alternative to a prison sentence for each other."