News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

This squalid dark coal bunker was home to a boy of 10 for a year – imprisoned by his own cruel mum and dad.

The child was locked up day and night with just a soiled mattress and a potty and was only let out to go to school, a court heard.

He is now in care and his mother, 32, and father, 41, are facing jail after admitting child cruelty - and now boasts to social workers that he has got his first toothbrush and can play in the park like other children.

Detective Constable Matt Normanton, who investigated the case, said: “The child was found to be kept in a cell, living in poor, inhumane conditions.

“I have never seen anything like it – the place was far worse than a police or prison cell. I hope I never come across anything like this again.

“It was just big enough for a single mattress and a ceramic potty, which was full of urine.”

The former coal bunker had been bricked up to become an extension to the family’s semi-detached house in Blackpool.

The only natural light came from a small, sealed window and the door was kept padlocked, Preston crown court heard.

(Image: Warren Smith)

Mr Normanton, of Lancashire Police, continued: “There was a bowl with some stale food in it. It’s nothing short of being a prisoner.”

The boy would while away the hours alone by scratching pictures and words on the walls as his parents watched TV.

If he ever got out he would eat raw meat and butter from the fridge but if caught he would be locked up for even longer.

The alarm was raised by the boy’s school and when police quizzed him he told how he “lived in a box” which was “creepy”.

(Image: PA)

Judge Anthony Russell adjourned the case for probation reports and warned the couple they face jail.

Mr Normanton added: “During the inquiry the blame was always put on the boy. It was inhumane, barbaric.”

A neighbour said: “There is a high wall between us and we did not know what was going on. All the houses had the old brick-built coal bunkers, which became redundant when central heating was installed.

“Many were knocked down and others made into small extensions of the house.

“We cannot understand why it took so long for the authorities to realise something was going dreadfully wrong. It should be investigated.”