BOLTON FATHER JAILED FOR CRUELTY TO SON
1995: A father from Bolton, Owen Rose, aged 27, who subjected his son to severe physical and mental abuse—including hitting him with a mallet, belts, and sticks—has been sentenced to nine months in prison at Manchester Crown Court.His wife, Louise, aged 33, and the boy’s biological mother, was also involved.
During their child's upbringing, the couple provided normal care for their two daughters but treated David Politt, aged 15, with cruelty.
The situation escalated after a camping trip last year, during which David was made to sleep outside naked with the family dogs.
Police officers investigating his minimalistic room at their household on Darley Avenue in Farnworth discovered lice and other signs of infestation.
Owen Rose pleaded guilty to charges of cruelty and assault against his son and was subsequently jailed.
Louise admitted to cruelty and received a three-year probation order.
Both parents claimed that David was a difficult, uncontrollable child, but Judge William Morris remarked that they failed in their fundamental duties towards him.
Addressing Louise Rose specifically, the judge noted she should have gone to prison but was spared due to her pregnancy and her responsibilities towards her other children.
Prosecutor Alan Conrad outlined the extent of the abuse, stating David was treated differently from his younger siblings, aged six and seven.
The boy was physically assaulted using sticks, a leather belt, and in one case, a mallet.
He was also deprived of basic comforts, often confined in a lightless room for up to 16 hours, with only a bucket for waste.
Mental cruelty was evident in the way he was marginalized and made to feel worthless.
Both parents referred to David as 'thick,' though he has since shown himself to be bright and doing well in school since separating from his family.
Details from the case revealed that during the camping trip, David had to sleep outside in the rain without bedding or clothing, exposing him to the elements.
Owen Rose subjected him to dangerous activities, including pulling a fishing hook into his mouth and hitting him with a mallet while he held a tent peg, leading to injuries, including a head wound that required stitches.
After their return, David confided in his grandmother about the mistreatment, prompting police intervention.
A medical examination uncovered multiple injuries and deformed feet, attributed to poor footwear.
Defense lawyer Andrew Lowcock described David as unpredictable and sometimes uncontrollable but noted that the parents sought help from social services and other agencies without success.
