READING CHILD CRUELTY COUPLE ROBERT AND LESLEY BUTLER SENTENCED TO PRISON

In a recent case that has shocked the community of Reading, a couple found guilty of child cruelty has been sentenced to serve time behind bars. Robert Butler, aged 44, residing at College Piece in Mortimer, and Lesley Butler, aged 42, of Anson Crescent in Whitley Wood, both pleaded guilty to a single count of cruelty to a child under the age of 16. The acts they admitted to occurred over a span of nearly two years, from August 2007 through July 2009.

Details of the case, which emerged during a trial at Reading Crown Court in February, revealed disturbing evidence of abuse inflicted upon a young child. The jury was told that the couple had subjected the child to inhumane treatment, including confining the child in a darkened room. Witnesses described the child being found in bloodstained pajamas, with bedding that was filthy and unkempt, highlighting the neglect and cruelty inflicted upon the young victim.

Following the guilty pleas, the case proceeded to sentencing. The hearing took place at Oxford Crown Court on a recent Monday, where Judge Richard Parkes presided over the proceedings. Both Robert and Lesley Butler received identical sentences of 26 weeks in prison, reflecting the severity of their actions and the court’s stance on child cruelty cases. The community and advocates for child protection continue to emphasize the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from such heinous acts, and this case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and intervention in cases of child abuse.