Cruel mum and step-dad jailed after starving autistic son in locked attic room

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Lorna Hewitt and her husband Craig had been each jailed for six years (Image: SWNS)

The mom and step-father of an autistic man discovered ‘near loss of life’ after being locked in an attic and starved of meals have each been jailed for six years.

Matthew Langley, 22, was held captive by Lorna and Craig Hewitt for seven months as he slept within the locked room lined in vomit and faeces.

He had no washing or bathroom services and was so malnourished he weighed solely six stone and his bones had been seen via his pores and skin. Abrasions on his physique indicated he had been transferring round on all fours.

Choose Michael Slater described Lorna’s actions as ‘a grave abuse of belief between a mom and her son.’

He added: ‘You had been the first carer for Matthew with all his difficulties and challenges.

‘It makes it all of the extra inexplicable to me that for these seven months you failed to supply him with the help and provision of foods and drinks that he craved and wanted.’

The Hewitts denied holding Matthew captive however they had been each discovered responsible at trial.

Matthew was discovered severely underweight and dehydrated by paramedics who rushed him to hospital with ‘his life hanging within the steadiness’ in June 2020.

Craig and Lorna Hewitt stored Matthew Langley, 22, locked up in horrific situations (Image: SWNS)

Prosecutor Nicholas Campbell stated: ‘His sodium ranges had been dangerously excessive. They measured 180.

‘They had been so excessive they might shut down his mind and kill him. Something above 145, there's a actual probability of loss of life.

‘The Dwelling Workplace pathologist examined the accidents and stated the abrasions and bruises had been constant in his view with Matthew having been crawling on all fours over objects in his path.’

Police discovered faeces and vomit everywhere in the flooring and bedding within the attic, together with flies, a nasty scent and a key on the skin of the door.

Matthew, who suffers from irritable bowel syndrome, incontinence, arthritis and studying difficulties, weighed solely 39kg (6st). Seven months earlier, in November 2019, he weighed 53.6kg.

Matthew has fortunately made a great bodily restoration and was later discharged from hospital weighing 55kg.

Addressing Craig, Choose Slater stated: ‘You had been complicit equally with spouse Lorna Hewitt in care successfully being switched off to any diploma for Matthew as he was locked in his room and starved of meals.

‘That didn't happen by negligence, it didn't happen by recklessness.

‘It was a plan between the pair of you. I’m fairly glad that nothing in that family occurred with out both you figuring out about it or approving of it.’

Talking on to Lorna, he stated: ‘It's argued in your behalf that you simply had been significantly weak and suggestible on the time.

‘I had the advantage of observing you give proof within the trial over the course of a number of days.

‘It didn't appear to me that you weren't able to standing up for your self or that you simply had been significantly suggestible. You had been each an articulate, temperate and considerate witness.’

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