Man found guilty of cruelty to children

A MAN has been convicted of subjecting two children to prolonged abuse and neglect.

Garth Gatland, 39, of Austin Drive, Cambridge was found guilty of two counts of child cruelty at Cambridge Crown Court yesterday (May 25).

Marie Maltby, 32, also of Austin Drive was acquitted on both counts.

The court heard how Gatland abused a girl aged six and a boy aged 15 over a period of two years between 2014 and 2016.

The abuse of the girl included hitting her repeatedly with implements including a wooden spoon, making her stand naked in the window and making her run for up to four-and-a-half hours barefoot on a treadmill so she would sleep at bed time.

The girl was also subjected to “water boarding”, made to stand in stress positions and tipped out of her bed while she was sleeping on regular occasions.

The boy was the victim of regular assaults and made to dispose of and hide drugs for Gatland.

The abuse was reported to police by an acquaintance of Gatland in October last year and the couple were arrested.

A forensic scientist found that the girl had either ingested cocaine or been exposed to it as traces were found in samples of her hair. She was also discovered to have significant bruises and burns to her back, legs, feet and neck.

Detective Constable Chris Down said: “Gatland subjected his victims to a catalogue of sadistic abuse. I hope his conviction will allow the victims to move on with their lives.

“I would encourage anyone who suspects offences have been, or are being committed against children to report their concerns to police, children’s social services or the NSPCC. No matter who we are, we all have a responsibility to report child abuse.”