Coventry child abuser's sentence increased by court

The couple subjected children to abuse and cruelty over a period of five years

The Court of Appeal has increased a jail sentence for a woman imprisoned for the "unimaginable" abuse and neglect of three children in her care.

Lynn Tovey, 37, of Duncroft Avenue, Coventry, deprived the children of food and subjected them to severe beatings.

She was jailed at Warwick Crown Court on 20 July for five years for inflicting harm and cruelty.

The Court of Appeal in London ruled on Thursday her sentenced be increased to eight years.

West Midlands Police described Tovey's five-year reign of terror with then husband David Doran, who has been jailed for child rape and cruelty charges.

Over a period spanning from 2012 to 2017, the youngsters, who were under 10 when the abuse started, were malnourished and unkempt, locked in their rooms without bedding and deprived of basic hygiene supplies.

Tovey would frequently slap the youngsters, accusing them of misdemeanours.

On one occasion she broke a child's wrist, and split their head open after pushing them into a door frame.

On another, she punched a child in the face until they passed out.

The children were made to sit by the back door as a punishment wearing only underwear, police said.

And in a chilling echo of the case of murdered 9-year-old Alfie Steele, they were left struggling for breath after being held underwater in cold baths.

The youngsters were warned if they told anyone they would be taken into care,

One children was tied to their bed to confine them to their room

Det Con Merrial Short said: "This is one of the most unimaginable cases of abuse and neglect that I have come across, and I am only thankful that we were not looking at a murder investigation."

The force began an investigation into Doran, 47, in January 2019 after receiving an allegation of child rape.

The further abuse was reported to police three months later after one of the children confided in a relative.

'Applaud survivors' bravery'

After a trial at Warwick Crown Court last October, Doran was convicted of rape, sexual assault, sexual activity and assault by penetration of a child. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison with a five-year extended licence.

Doran was additionally found guilty of three counts of child cruelty while on trial with Tovey in July, and handed three years and six months to run concurrently.

Det Con Short added: "We must not forget, at the heart of this, were three children, as well as a rape survivor, who suffered the most appalling abuse and I applaud their bravery in telling their stories.

"All are now over 18 years of age and I sincerely hope they receive all the support they need and are able to move on with their lives."