Britain’s ‘most repulsive couple’ who mentally and sexually abused young children

A “repulsive” couple who sexually and mentally abused children have been jailed for 35 years.

Nicholas Harris, 54 and Clare Buttice, 41, from Bedford, were jailed for 23 years and 12 years respectively for a campaign of ‘degrading’ child abuse.

Police launched an investigation after the victims came forward to report their ordeal, which also included physical violence and abuse, Bedfordshire Live reports.

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The couple will have to serve at least two-thirds of their sentence before they are considered for release, must register as sex offenders indefinitely, and are banned from having any contact with the victims.

Detective Constable Nina Bradbury, from Bedfordshire Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) team, led the investigation.

She said: “This was a horrific series of crimes, in which children were exploited into performing acts for the offenders’ sexual gratification.

“These offenses have had a significant impact on the victims, and they will carry this trauma with them for the rest of their lives. I am pleased the courts have issued such a strong custodial sentence and that this repulsive pair will spend a long time behind bars.

“This case was a lengthy and complex investigation, and is just one of many which demonstrates our commitment to tackling offenders and keeping children safe.”

DC Bradbury added: “Protecting children from this kind of sickening abuse is absolutely imperative – and work that needs our collective effort to succeed. Our specialist officers and partnership services will continue to work with and support the victims as they try to move on with their lives.

“But if you have concerns that a child is being neglected, exploited or abused, these concerns are too important not to share. We must all play our part in protecting children.”

Anyone with any information about child sexual abuse can contact the police on 101.

Or you can visit the NSPCC website at nspcc.co.uk for further help, information or support.

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