Couple jailed after games addiction

Police describe child neglect case as `worst ever`

Iain Thomson, vnunet.com 31 Aug 2005

A couple in Scotland who claimed to be addicted to computer gaming have been jailed for three months after admitting that they neglected their four children.

The father, 28, claimed to have become addicted to online gaming, and that his wife had also been affected. Arbroath Sheriff Court was told that the case was one of the worst ever seen by police and social workers.

Social workers were called after neighbours spotted two of the children naked on a window ledge. The workers found a baby in a heavily soiled nappy, and two of the children required emergency dental work. One had to have all her teeth removed.

Sheriff Norrie Stein said: ``The reports say there is difficulty in identifying a community-based [sentence], and I`m afraid to say, for you two, there is no alternative to a prison sentence.

``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.``