AN ILMINSTER couple who left the town shocked and disgusted after their two young children were found with cocaine in their system and other traces of drugs on their body and hair have been spared jail.

The pair from Ilminster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted to neglect after their two young children were allegedly found with cocaine in their systems.

The man, 37, and the woman, 29, were sentenced at Taunton Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday, August 29) by Judge David Evans.

The court previously heard that the couple had been charged jointly that between February 1, 2015 and March 3, 2016 at their home address in Ilminster, they wilfully neglected a minor likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health against each of their two children.

The pair both received 15 months prison sentence for each of the two counts of neglect, with the sentence suspended for two years.

They also received 120 hours of unpaid work each for their crimes.

In sentencing, Judge Evans said: “You cared more about your drugs than your children.”

The couple first appeared at Somerset Magistrates’ Court in Yeovil on June 12 when it heard that their two young children had been found with cocaine in their systems and traces of other drugs on their bodies.

When the children were placed into foster care they were also found to be severely underweight and were suffering from speech and language and development delays which were allegedly attributed to their home environment.

The magistrates court also heard that when the two children were taken into care one of them weighed less than he did the previous year.

Analysis of their hair revealed traces of amphetamine, cocaine, Diazepam and cannabis and both children tested positive for cocaine ingestion.

Both defendants previously entered not guilty pleas to the offences before the case was considered so serious that it was sent to Taunton Crown Court to be dealt with.

Once the case reached Taunton Crown Court, both the 37-year-old man and the 29-year-old woman changed their plea to guilty before the case could go to trial.

The couple will now not serve their prison term unless they reoffend within the next two years.

Following the pair's guilty pleas, an NSPCC spokesman for South west England said: “This is a shocking case in which two children were neglected by their parents who should have been protecting and nurturing them.

“Neglect can wreak havoc on a child’s development, emotional well-being, ability to form relationships, and mental health. Children, like the victims in this case, are more likely to suffer from depression and post-traumatic disorder, and even suicidal thoughts.

“We would encourage anyone worried that a child might be suffering cruelty or neglect to contact our round-the-clock helpline for advice.”

Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can call the NSPCC Helpline for free 24/7 on 0808 800 5000. Meanwhile, children can call Childline on 0800 1111.