AN elderly couple have gone on trial accused of a catalogue of physical and sexual abuse against children decades ago.

Kenneth Whiles and his wife Peggy are alleged to have used belts, a dog chain and high-heeled shoes to beat the youngsters.

A jury at Teesside Crown Court was told today that their victims were humiliated and injured in the attacks.

The couple, from Eston, near Middlesbrough, deny a total of 29 charges and face a trial likely to last two weeks.

Mr Whiles, 71, denies 24 separate offences of indecent assault indecency with a child, cruelty and assault.

His 69-year-old wife - a wheelchair-user - has pleaded not guilty to five cruelty charges.

Prosecutor Richard Bennett said: “The prosecution say that the violence was beyond anything that could be considered lawful.

“The prosecution say it was straightforward assault and cruelty.

“Kenneth Whiles was regularly violent, and beat them with his hands and with belts. He would humiliate them, too.

“Peggy Whiles was not involved in direct sexual abuse, but the prosecution say she knew what was going on and she turned a blind eye.

“There were regular patterns of criminal behaviour carried out by both defendants.”

Mr Bennett told the jury of eight men and four women that complaints were made by some of the victims years ago, but “for various reasons” no criminal prosecution was brought at the time.

Worries had also been raised by a teacher who was told that one of the victims was being abused.

An investigation was relaunched several years ago after one of the accusers rang police to say he was going to the couple’s home to kill for what they had done, and he was arrested.

Mr Bennett said the couple, of Durham Road, Eston, denied the allegations when they were questioned.