The sentencing of a Northern Ireland couple who subjected seven children to a decade of brutal cruelty was delayed today until new psychiatric reports are completed.
The man and woman, from Co Armagh, were convicted of a terrifying regime of ill-treatment and humiliation which only ended with the suspected suicide of one youngster.
After a jury found them guilty in December of what the Crown described as systematic, violent abuse over 10 years, the pair - who cannot be named to protect their victims' identities - were due to be sentenced today.
But a lawyer for the woman, who dramatically confessed mid-trial, told Antrim Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, that a consultant psychologist's report on her was out of date.
As the abusers sat together in the dock, with some of the children in the public gallery behind them, Lord Justice Girvan urged the defence to ensure a new assessment is finalised as soon as possible.
Adjourning the case until next week, he granted the couple continued bail on the condition they report to police daily and have no contact with their victims.
But he warned them: "Neither defendant should make an assumption that by granting bail the court is indicating there will not be a custodial sentence."