A COUPLE who assaulted young children repeatedly over a period of more than two years have avoided punishment in court.

The children, then aged seven, five and three, were struck repeatedly with hands, footwear, a wooden spoon and a belt.

In the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing were Geoffrey Chikomba, 49, and Kelia Chikomba, 41, both of Curlew Way, Inverkeithing.

The pair, who both work in nursing, were found guilty previously of offences following a trial last month.

All the offences occurred between January 1, 2017, and January 21, 2019, at an address in Rosyth.

Geoffrey Chikomba was convicted of three charges involving a girl and two boys.

In each case, on various occasions, he assaulted them by striking them repeatedly on the head and body with his hands and striking them repeatedly on the body with footwear.

Kelia Chikomba was also found guilty of three charges involving the same children.

On various occasions, she assaulted them by striking them repeatedly on the head and body with her hands and struck them repeatedly on the body with footwear, a wooden spoon and a belt.

The girl was injured in the assaults by both accused.

Sheriff David Hall said the reports he had received on the couple were very positive.

In those circumstances he said he would take the “extreme” step of admonishing them.

He commented: “Both of you work in the care industry in nursing capacities and you will be facing tribunals in the coming days.”