Content note: this post deals with issues of family violence and sexual assault, and may be triggering to some readers.
By court reporter Candice Prosser
A couple tormented, neglected and abused their children by locking them in cages, tying them up and sexually assaulting them, an Adelaide court has heard.
Jurors were told the young boy and girl faced frequent beatings from their biological father and stepmother, both aged in their early 40s.
The Adelaide District Court heard the children’s fingers were slammed in doors and they were tied to trees or locked outdoors as punishment.
The father also raped his daughter, the jury heard.
The man faces six counts of false imprisonment, five of aggravated assault causing harm, two of aggravated indecent assault and two of unlawful sexual intercourse and the woman is charged with two counts of false imprisonment and two of aggravated assault causing harm.
Neither can be named to protect the identity of the children.
The court was told the man allegedly smashed his daughter’s head against a wall until she bled.
Another time, the children were gagged and tied together on a kitchen table then photographed while in distress, the court heard.