A COUPLE have avoided jail after subjecting children to "significant" physical and emotional abuse during the Covid lockdown.

On Tuesday, Bradford Crown Court heard how a man forced the heads of two youngsters down a toilet bowl.

The relationship between the pair, who cannot be named to avoid risk of identifying the children, happened when the pandemic was "hanging over every body".

The man either punched or slapped one child and also kneed them to cause bruising, the court heard.

Another child was subjected to "more regular hitting" and also being kicked up the stairs.

One child was jointly attacked by both adults and was once hit in the face with the knuckle part of the man's hand.

The court heard how the woman was abusing substances and alcohol at the time of the abuse.

His Honour Judge Colin Burn said she caused the children "significant" emotional harm by not stopping the physical attacks.

The woman's defence said her client was a "very different woman" during the "pressure cooker" of Covid.

The woman has since stopped drinking, the court heard.

It also heard how both defendants had suffered previous abuse at the hands of adults.

The man was sentenced to 20 months which was suspended for two years. He must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

The woman was given a sentence of 16 months which was also suspended for two years. She must complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Burn added: "Both of you subjected the children to significant physical and emotional abuse."