A Bowburn Paedophile Child Abuser, Cheryl Pickles, whose boyfriend, a child rapist, died in prison while awaiting sentencing, has been incarcerated for child abuse.
Cheryl Pickles and Andrew Hadwin, residents of Bowburn, Durham, were described as “sadistic” and frequently perpetrated abuse on their victims, as stated before Teesside Crown Court.
Andrew Hadwin, 39, convicted of child rape and abuse, died at HMP Durham in February.
Cheryl Pickles was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of child cruelty by a jury in January.
Prosecutor Anne Richardson characterised both Cheryl Pickles and Andrew Hadwin as “sadistic,” asserting that they engaged in “prolonged and serious acts of neglect” that demonstrated a “complete disregard for welfare.”
The court heard that children were routinely struck with belts, had soap and shampoo forcibly administered to their mouths, were subjected to scalding baths, had to maintain stress positions for extended periods, and deprived of sustenance.
Judge Timothy Stead stated that they were confined in a “hot and dark” cupboard that was “filthy and infested with spiders,” which would have been “terrifying.”
Ms Richardson stated that Andrew Hadwin and Cheryl Pickles would expend a substantial sum on takeaway and intentionally consume it in the presence of the famished victims.
Judge Stead stated that the children were so deprived of food that they resorted to “scavenging,” and forcing the “desperately hungry” toddlers to observe the parents consuming takeaways constituted “sadism.”
Ms. Richardson stated that the abuse has resulted in the victims enduring lifelong suffering and obstacles to their physical and mental health.
She stated that both Cheryl Pickles and Andrew Hadwin had endeavoured to “brainwash” the victims to prevent the reporting of the abuse.
In a statement read to the court, a child psychologist said the victims would face “significant lifelong difficulties” which could see them more vulnerable to future exploitation, abuse and thoughts of suicide and self-harm.
The court heard the couple wrote letters purporting to be from a victim apologising for lying about the abuse had occurred but hand-writing experts were able to prove it was a forgery.
Cheryl Pickles also tried to blame the abuse on someone else which showed her to be “cold and calculating”, the court heard, and she repeatedly lied to the authorities about the actions carried out by her and Andrew Hadwin.
Anthony Davis in mitigation, said Cheryl Pickles’ behaviour was affected largely by Andrew Hadwin who was a “wholly manipulative controlling individual” who “targeted” Pickles.
He said because of Andrew Hadwin’s death she was “perhaps feeling the full wrath of the law when the most significant factor is she fell in love with the wrong person”.
Judge Timothy Stead said the evidence showed that while “wicked and cruel” Andrew Hadwin had been an influence, Cheryl Pickles had joined in “readily” and played a “full and on occasions more than full part” in the cruelty and sexual assaults.
He said Pickles showed “no victim empathy or remorse”.
Speaking after the sentencing, Det Con Kat Pudney, from Durham Police, said the victims had been “subjected to unimaginable levels of cruelty and abuse” but showed “bravery and tenacity beyond their years standing up to their abusers” in court.
“Pickles will now serve a significant sentence for this abuse,” she added.
A force spokeswoman said inquiries were ongoing into Andrew Hadwin’s death with a file to be prepared for the coroner “in due course”.
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