A man with learning disabilities was subjected to a series of sadistic punishments when he failed to carry out household chores.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, lived in a house in Shaftesbury Avenue, Belgrave, Leicester, for about nine months with four people who tormented him.

Northampton Crown Court heard yesterday that the man, who is in his mid-20s, was beaten, burned and sexually humiliated if he did not complete the tasks they gave him.

On several occasions, he was pushed into a canal.

Yesterday, the four appeared before a judge to be sentenced for their crimes against the man.

The court heard that the abuse was instigated by housemate Amanda Ford (25).

Prosecutor Gordon Aspden said: "During the period they were living together, the complainant was subjected to both physical and sexual abuse that was at the instigation of Amanda Ford."

He added that Ford also kept control of the others – including her then-boyfriend, co-defendant Anthony Martin (34) – by use of threats and violence, and all were expected to give their benefit money to her.

Mr Aspden said the two other defendants, Paul Machin and Dawn Sivills, participated in the violence but did so under pressure from Ford.

The court was told Ford and Martin were both found guilty of various offences against the man, including grievous bodily harm and inciting him into sexual activity, in their absence during a trial at Leicester Crown Court in August.

He said the pair were arrested this week having evaded police by travelling daily between different towns and cities in the Midlands. They were only tracked down when they tried to re-register to claim benefits.

Sentencing of Ford and Martin was adjourned yesterday for further reports. But both Sivills and Machin were dealt with for their offences. Sivills' single offence of assault was carried out with Ford, when the victim was doused in aftershave and set alight, "engulfing" him in flames.

The court heard he still bears scars more than a year later.

Judge Charles Wide gave Sivills (28), who was convicted in August after pleading not guilty to the offence, a one-year sentence, suspended for two years. She will be under probation supervision for two years.

Machin (29), who admitted a single offence of assault, will also be placed under supervision for 12 months.

Judge Wide said he had taken the pair's learning difficulties into account.

Martin Sperry, for Sivills, said her client had acted under duress and had made exceptional progress since leaving the house.

Judge Wide said: "There's an extent to which you were both victims of the extraordinary, oppressive regime in that house, which was run by and dominated by your co-defendant Amanda Ford.

"It was truly an extraordinary situation in which you both found yourselves.

"Nonetheless, you have both committed crimes when, in my judgement, you could have chosen not to, despite the pressure brought to bear by Ford."

The judge did not say what sentence he was considering for Martin. But he warned Ford he was considering an indeterminate sentence for the public's protection.