Gay couple accused of child abuse
A gay foster couple are being accused of abusing their children and making them watch gay porn.
Leeds Crown Court was told today that Ian Wathey, 40, and Craig Faunch, 32, allegedly took advantage of children put in their care by Wakefield Council in West Yorkshire, and molested several children.
The couple were approved by social services in 2003, but used their position within months to video and perform sex acts on troubled boys, the jury heard.
Prosecuting, Jeremy Richardson gave an example of eight-year-old twins, placed in their care, being filmed on the toilet. The boys allegedly showed their mother the pictures which led her to tell social services.
The defendants at the time insisted the photos were taken to embarrass the boys so they would close the bathroom door. maintained the photos were taken to embarrass the boys into closing the toilet door.
Mr Richardson recognised that this explanation was accepted, he said: “The matter was not looked into more seriously than that.”
However police intervened when a boy complained about Mr Faunchy abusing him three times.
Additionally, an autistic 14 year old boy with a mental age of seven, claimed Mr Wathey performed a sex act on him made him watch gay porn and touch himself.
He said the men “hurt” him.
Mr Wathey denies six charges of sex with a child and one of causing a child to watch a sex act on video.
Mr Faunch denies two charges of taking indecent photos and five of having sex with two boys.
The trial continues.
