A County Armagh couple have both been jailed after admitting imprisoning a woman with severe learning disabilities and sexually abusing her over a period of eight years.
And the PSNI has today welcomed the sentences handed out to the vile couple.
They admitted a range of sexual offences against the woman over an eight-year-period.
Sixty-one-year-old Keith Baker was sentenced to 15 years in jail.
His wife, Caroline (54), was sentenced to three years, including 18 months on licence.
Both pleaded guilty to a range of offences including a number of sexual assaults over the eight year period.
Speaking after sentencing at Craigavon Crown Court, Detective Chief Superintendent George Clarke, Head of the PSNI’s Public Protection Branch, said: “This was an appalling litany of crimes carried out against an extremely vulnerable woman and we welcome today’s outcome.
“For eight ears, these defendants kept this woman imprisoned in a room that could not be opened from inside and sexually abused her, some of which was filmed for their own sexual gratification. There was no door handle on the inside of her room and food was only brought to her occasionally.
“Put simply, this was an inhumane way to treat anyone. Her basic human rights were stolen from her by people who can only be described as evil.
“What she went through is unimaginable and any right minded person will be horrified to hear about the suffering this victim endured at the hands of these cruel people.
“It doesn’t bear thinking about what this victim endured over the thousands of days she was kept prisoner.
“Although it pales to insignificance in comparison to what this victim was forced to endure for years, this has been a difficult, challenging and emotional case for the officers involved.
“We worked closely with the Public Prosecution Service to build a strong case and I am glad we brought the case to a conclusion for the victim today.”
