SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE BY WITNEY COUPLE LISA PRATT AND ANDREW CLENT SENTENCED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Witney, a couple was found guilty of subjecting two young boys to a brutal campaign of physical, mental, and emotional abuse over a period spanning from January 2010 to April 2015. The court proceedings revealed a pattern of cruelty that left a lasting scar on the victims and drew widespread condemnation.

Lisa Pratt, aged 36, and Andrew Clent, aged 30, faced multiple charges of child cruelty during their trial at Oxford Crown Court. The evidence presented painted a harrowing picture of their treatment of the children, which included frequent beatings, force-feeding, and forcing the boys to endure scalding hot showers as a form of punishment. The court heard that the abuse was not isolated but occurred on a regular, if not daily, basis, with the children suffering under a regime of terror and neglect.

Prosecutor Jane Brady detailed the severity of the abuse, describing how one of the boys was throttled with a towel until he lost consciousness, and on another occasion, had his head held underwater in a disturbing attempt to inflict harm. The children were also subjected to deprivation of basic needs; they were sometimes prevented from using the toilet, leading to them soiling themselves, and were kept isolated from friends and social interactions. When social workers visited the household, the couple allegedly told the children to put on a facade of normalcy, warning them that any signs of distress or rebellion would result in further punishment.

The case came to light in April 2015 when neighbors witnessed a third teenager being held down and repeatedly kicked and stamped on by the couple. This incident prompted authorities to investigate, ultimately uncovering the extent of the abuse inflicted upon the two boys. The court heard that the couple’s actions were not only cruel but also sadistic, with the treatment described as 'abominable' by Judge Zoe Smith.

During the sentencing, Judge Smith acknowledged that Clent appeared to be under the influence of Pratt, noting that he was different when she was not around and possibly scared of her. However, she emphasized that Clent failed to protect the children from the ongoing abuse. Pratt was convicted of inflicting actual bodily harm on another teenager as well, further highlighting her role in the abuse.

Lisa Pratt was sentenced to seven years in prison, reflecting the gravity of her actions, while Andrew Clent received a four-year sentence. The judge’s remarks underscored the severity of their conduct, condemning their treatment of the boys as both 'sadistic' and 'unforgivable,' leaving a dark chapter in the community of Witney’s history of child welfare.