London - A religious former policeman who made his teenage stepson destroy his Manchester United replica soccer shirt because he thought the club's Red Devil badge "ungodly", was yesterday jailed for two years for child cruelty and assault.
His wife was given a three-year community rehabilitation order after also being convicted of cruelty and assault.
The boy, who is now 15, outlined how he was made to live under a strict religious disciplinary regime during a a trial at Peterborough Crown Court.
His 35-year-old mother and 57-year-old stepfather disputed many of the youngster's allegations. Neither they nor the boy can be identified for legal reasons.