Stepdad jailed for forcing boy, 11, to sleep in straitjacket, blindfold helmet a

March 16, 2011

oy-11-to-sleep-in-straitjacket-blindfold-helmet-and-arm-restraints-115875-229922\

88/

Stepdad jailed for forcing boy, 11, to sleep in straitjacket, blindfold helmet

and arm restraints

16/03/2011

A MAN is behind bars for forcing his schoolboy stepson to sleep in a

straitjacket, a leather blindfold helmet and arm restraints.

The 11-year-old was regularly left bound to his bed in the " grotesque "

restraints from 8.30pm until 8.30am over a 12-month period.

Even in hot weather, he was made to wear the helmet, which blocked out all

light, and a neck collar to stop him moving his head, a court heard.

Yesterday it emerged the boy's ordeal only ended when he told school staff, who

alerted social services.

The stepdad, 39, a former company director who helped run a sports club for the

disabled, had bought the straitjackets online but added leather ankle and chest

straps, and made the helmet. Doncaster crown court heard on Friday he wrongly

thought the boy was autistic and believed the restraints would help him to sleep

better.

ng the crime " grotesque and horrific " , the judge jailed the man for three

years and locked up the boy's 37-year-old mother for two years for allowing the

abuse to take place.

The defendants, who cannot be identified, both pleaded guilty to child cruelty

from 2008 to 2009. Judge Davies said they had an obligation to care

for the boy but had " betrayed that trust in the most grotesque way " .

A former neighbour said last night: " I kept out of his way, he was so odd. But I

never dreamed something like this was going on in his house. "

The boy, who has behavioural problems, is now with foster parents.

Recommended Posts