The judge ruled one of the girls had been abused by her older brother. (Image: GETTY) He said the youngsters – who cannot be named for legal reasons – had grown up in a home where the father drank heavily and attacked their mother. They were left to watch TV or play computer games, did not attend school or socialise with other children. After being given details of the case at the Family Court in Leeds, the judge ruled one of the girls had been abused by her older brother. He said the children, aged between three and 16, had been housed at three separate residential homes since last April. The oldest boy was in one children’s home, two other boys at another and the three girls had been sent to an agency foster home. Related articles Domestic abuse: Refuges refuse 10 women every day Blind moon bear feels sunshine for first time after years of abuse Residents turfed out after families complain about treatment Mr Justice Holman (Image: GETTY) The judge said: “These arrangements are currently costing the local authority the staggering aggregate sum of about £10,000 per week, or the equivalent of over half a million pounds in a full year.” Dr Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, said: “Broken families don’t just cost the children involved but the taxpayer. Care homes charging the taxpayer exorbitant fees have previously been accused of failing to protect their charges from exploitation and it’s clear that – in a small number of cases – care providers are doing rather well out of the collapse of the family in our society.” Mr Justice Holman said that although the brother had abused the sister, he too should be treated as a victim, because of the dysfunctional family background.All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility