LEE CARNELL AND SARAH LAMB SENTENCED FOR CHILD NEGLECT IN HULL
In July 2022, a disturbing case of child neglect came to light in Hull, involving a couple named Lee Carnell, aged 32, and Sarah Lamb, aged 33.Both individuals faced serious criminal charges after five children under the age of 12 were discovered living in deplorable conditions within their home.
The children, comprising four girls and one boy, had been subjected to prolonged neglect, which had severely impacted their physical and emotional well-being.
Concerns about the welfare of these children were first raised to the police in 2019, prompting an investigation into the state of their living environment.
When authorities entered the property, they found a scene of utter squalor.
The house was overcrowded, with only four beds for seven children, and the conditions were appalling.
Walls were smeared with human excrement, and the air was thick with a foul smell emanating from moldy food, dirty nappies strewn across the floors, and a pervasive infestation of flies.
The environment was described as a 'hellish' setting, reflecting neglect that had persisted over a significant period.
The physical health of the children was in a dire state.
Their teeth were described as being in a 'dismal' condition, and they were approximately 18 months behind their peers academically.
The eldest girl had nearly been struck in the face by Carnell, who is a mixed martial arts fighter, but the punch missed and instead caused damage to a wall, creating a hole.
The boy was so frightened of Carnell that he would urinate in his room rather than use the toilet.
One girl was characterized as 'scared' and expressed feelings of anger about her circumstances; during an incident, Lamb put her hand over the girl’s mouth and pulled her hair, further illustrating the abusive environment.
Another girl struggled with language development, having a limited vocabulary and difficulty forming sentences.
She would often 'gorge' herself with food, indicating emotional distress, while a third child was unable to read or write.
The boy exhibited behavioral issues and was easily flustered, likely as a consequence of the neglect and trauma he endured.
Prosecutor Richard Thompson emphasized that the case involved multiple incidents of serious neglect, which spanned over several years, not just weeks.
He highlighted that the neglect was both physical and emotional, and that the children would require many years of support to recover from the damage inflicted upon them.
During police interviews, Carnell admitted that the house lacked a vacuum cleaner and claimed that a water leak was responsible for the foul smell.
He acknowledged that the property was not a safe environment for children but denied that the state of the house was his fault.
Carnell also admitted to swearing in front of the children and causing damage to the wall but denied physically assaulting the eldest girl.
Lamb, on her part, denied responsibility for the children's health issues but admitted to smoking cannabis.
Neither parent had a clean criminal record; Carnell had previous convictions related to dishonesty, drug possession, assaulting police, criminal damage, waste disposal, and theft, many from his youth.
Lamb had no prior convictions but had four cautions for assault.
At the time of sentencing, it was revealed that Lamb was pregnant again, believing she was unable to have more children, and had since given birth to a baby son.
She had no contact with the other five children.
Judge Peter Kelson QC described the scene in the house as one of 'squalor,' noting the presence of cannabis within reach of the children, minimal food in the cupboards, visible mold on food, and the absence of carpeting.
The house contained broken glass on the floor, only four beds for seven children, and was littered with dirty nappies.
The neglect was said to have occurred over a period of approximately two and a half to four years, with the defense suggesting a shorter duration.
Further details revealed that Carnell had prevented the boy from using the toilet at night, instilling fear that led him to urinate on the floor.
Lamb was also accused of physically abusing the eldest girl during an incident, covering her mouth and pulling her hair.
The children’s attendance at school was poor, and they missed numerous medical appointments.
All five children were found to be approximately 18 months behind in their development, a clear indicator of the severe neglect they had suffered.
Prosecutors described this case as a form of 'neglect without physical violence,' emphasizing its gravity and long-lasting impact.
In court, Carnell pleaded guilty at a late stage and was sentenced to two years in prison.
Lamb, who was present in court laughing and joking before the proceedings, received an 18-month sentence.
Judge Kelson remarked that Lamb would serve her sentence long before her children could recover from the harm inflicted upon them, underscoring the lasting damage caused by their neglect.
