The parents of four kids have been sentenced to three months in jail for neglect, after becoming addicted to internet gaming.

It emerged in court that both parents had become utterly engrossed in the online gaming world - the 28-year-old father spent all his waking hours playing online, the BBC reports.

Neighbours spotted two of the children standing naked on a window ledge, and called the police. The subsequent investigation uncovered what Arbroath Sheriff Court, Scotland, was told was one of the worst cases of neglect seen by police or social workers.

The youngest was found in a heavily soiled nappy. The other three were all dirty, and hardly clothed. Two of the children needed emergency dental work, and one had to have all her teeth removed.

In sentencing, Sheriff Norrie Stein said that the level of neglect had been appalling.

"This neglect appears to have occurred over a significant period and despite extensive home support, clothing and laundry services, and parenting classes, you have clearly chosen to disregard your children," he said.

He concluded that there was no alternative to a prison sentence. ®

Related stories

• Dutch introduce phones for kids (25 October 2005)
• 2% of gamers are hermaphrodite: official (17 October 2005)
• China slashes gamers' time online (25 August 2005)
• Man dies playing computer games (10 August 2005)
• Outraged granny sues over Grand Theft Auto (28 July 2005)