SOCIAL services chiefs in Blaenau Gwent were criticised in court after two foster parents assaulted children in their care.

Michael Lewis, 55, and Susan Lewis, 50, of Heather Close, Sirhowy, Tredegar, were each sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for three years after admitting three charges of common assault and one of child neglect. The offences occurred in 1999 and 2002, Cardiff crown court was told.

Claire Wilks, for Susan Lewis, told the court Blaenau Gwent social services must accept some responsibility for the care the children received.

The authority said there had been staffing problems and the couple, who became carers in 1998, were left "high and dry".

After the hearing, Philip Hodgson, the director of Blaenau Gwent's social services, said: "These foster parents fostered up to around 2002 and as soon as children disclosed there were problems, Blaenau Gwent stopped using them immediately.

"We fully co-operated with the police investigation at the time." He added: "There's been a lot of change in personnel in social services and we're working very hard and reviewing policies and procedures for the protection of children."

In court prosecutor Martyn Kelly said complaints were made by one of the couple's former foster child in 2004 because she was advised she may have a claim against the authority.

The neglect involved failure to provide proper care for a boy in respect of food and clothing.

The other charges l from front page involved three children being pushed, resulting in no injuries. Altogether, said Mr Kelly, the couple cared for 16 children. Eleven had made no complaints.

The couple, he added, had found it difficult to cope with one boy with learning difficulties. The child had been once found outside in pyjamas and teachers had once been concerned after his lunchbox contained only a mouldy jam sandwich, a packet of crisps and a sausage roll. "It was clear he was not clean and not thriving," added Mr Kelly. One of the girls was pushed on to a settee and sat on because she came home late. Another was pushed to the floor and a second boy shouted at and pushed.

The two, whom Mr Kelly claimed drank too much, must have known no physical chastisement was allowed.

When interviewed, the Lewis' made complete denials, with Michael Lewis saying it was "a total pack of rubbish".

Jeffrey Jones said his client Michael Lewis accepted falling below required standards but there was no wilful violence, no injuries and no trauma although there was "inappropriate chastisement".

Mr Jones said one of the children had said: "I wouldn't like them to go to prison, they never hurt us." Ms Wilks said: "It was inadequate care but not deliberate wickedness."