A COUPLE who beat and abused children decades ago were in court today to finally face justice – in front of their mentally-scarred victims.

A judge told Kenneth and Peggy Whiles that the subjects of their repeated cruelty have had their lives blighted by what they did in the 1980s.

Neither was jailed – for differing reasons – but Judge Howard Crowson said: “I hope the victims take comfort from the fact they were believed.”

Mrs Whiles – 70 yesterday – was given a 21-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, after being found guilty of cruelty after a trial.

Her husband was declared unfit to stand trial part-way through the hearing, but was found to have committed acts of sexual abuse and cruelty.

The 71-year-old was put under supervision for two years after the judge was restricted to just three disposals – including an absolute discharge.

He told the pensioner: “I don’t necessarily accept there is no risk. This may have been historic, but what you did was persistent and long-standing.

“Each of them suffered at your hands, abuse that blighted their lives. If there had been a criminal trial, you would have gone to prison for a considerable time.”

Teesside Crown Court heard how wheelchair-using Mrs Whiles’s GP said her life would be in danger from a stroke or heart attack if she was jailed.

The police officer in the case and the victims and their families have doubts about the level of her disability, and the judge remarked on the “concerns”.

He also said the DVLA should examine Mr Whiles’s ability to drive – if he was the one who drove the couple’s car – given he was unfit to stand trial.

He told the court: “If she was a healthier person, she would serve a lot more than three years, but her state means I can reduce and suspend it.

“They live as a couple who manage to for each other by balancing each other’s deficiencies, and if they were separated somebody else would have to.”

He added: “People who have suffered will not feel satisfied, I believe . . . the important thing is, they gave evidence and the jury believed them.”

The couple, of Durham Road, Eston, Middlesbrough, left the hearing – held at Teesside Magistrates’ Court to accommodate the wheelchair – with their son.

Andrew Finlay, for Mrs Whiles, said she still denied ever doing anything wrong, and needs help in almost every aspect of her everyday life.

Barnaby Shaw, for her husband, said he struggles to remember things from one day to the next because of his moderate severity Alzheimer’s disease.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “This couple subjected children to horrendous cruelty and, in Kenneth Whiles’ case, sexual abuse.

“Their victims have shown incredible bravery in coming forward and speaking out about the abuse they suffered, which will have had a long-term impact on them.

“No matter how much time has passed, it’s important that victims of abuse know they can come forward, get help and obtain justice.

“Anyone with concerns about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 8005000, children can call Childline on 0800 1111.”