Ryan wet himself in fear, police were told

A three-year-old boy was shut in an airing cupboard as punishment by a Wolverhampton couple accused of murdering him, a jury heard.

Ryan Lovell-Hancox was also forced to lick up spilt soup, beaten, slapped around the head, shouted at so loudly he wet himself, and had his face rubbed in the carpet, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Kayley Boleyn made the admissions when outlining the basis on which she pleaded guilty to allowing the death of the child, it was disclosed for the first time.

She blamed her boyfriend Chris Taylor, aged 25, for the tragedy. She also told detectives that Ryan was slapped so hard by Taylor on December 20, 2008, that he left a hand print bruise, said Christopher Hotten QC, prosecuting.

The next day Ryan's mother, Amy Hancox, arrived at the bedsit in Slim Avenue, Bradley, to collect him but found a note saying they had gone out.

In fact, Boleyn and Taylor were inside. Ryan was taken to hospital less than 36 hours later with a head injury that led to his death, the jury heard yesterday.

Boleyn and Taylor both deny murder and child cruelty.

Taylor denies causing or allowing the death and Boleyn admits allowing the death.

The trial continues.