A JUDGE told a couple found living with children in squalid conditions that their home was "absolutely disgraceful".

The husband and wife, who live in the Millom area, were sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today.

During a hearing before Judge Peter Hughes QC, the full shocking state of the house was laid bare. This came to light when a police officer paid a visit to the property.

Prosecutor Antony Longworth told the court: "The officer was aware the house was in an unsafe, unsanitary and somewhat dangerous position bearing in mind the presence of young children.

"On entering the hallway, the officer noted animal faeces on the carpet. It was difficult to gain access to one room due to the sheer amount of clothing and rubbish cluttering the area. There were also 'trip-hazards'.

Worse was to come in the kitchen, where more faeces and also food was seen on the floor. "It was described as filthy," said Mr Longworth, who spoke of dirty pots in the sink and plates containing leftover food which looked to have been there "for some time".

There was no fresh produce "whatsoever", and the main item in a fridge was alcohol.

A bathroom was also seen to be in a dirty condition, with urine on the floor.

"The rooms were generally untidy," said Mr Longworth, who conceded: "Rooms in which there are small children are likely to be untidy.

"But the difficulties in this case were that the rooms were also unsanitary and filthy."

Lawyers gave mitigation in respect of the husband and wife, both of whom had been unable to cope with their domestic situation. There was some uncertainty about how long the house had been in that condition.

However, Jacob Dyer, for the wife, said: "It may be the case - and it seems it is - that this was the worst it got and that might explain why there has not been any earlier intervention."

Kim Whittlestone, representing the husband, said he had been "sickened and ashamed" when presented with photographs of the living conditions.

Judge Hughes concluded that it would not be in the public interest to send the couple straight to prison.

Six-month jail terms were suspended for two years, and they must each complete a rehabilitation requirement.

But Judge Hughes told the pair, who admitted three counts of cruelty to a person under 16: "No child should have to live in these sort of conditions. "Your home was absolutely disgraceful. It was squalid. It was filthy. It was unhygienic."