A FAMILY reacted with disgust today after a child abuser escaped jail.A spokesman speaking on behalf of the children's family, said that the children abused by Dawn Rogers cannot sleep properly due to their ordeal.

A FAMILY reacted with disgust today after a child abuser escaped jail.

A spokesman speaking on behalf of the children's family, said that the children abused by Dawn Rogers cannot sleep properly due to their ordeal.

Rogers, 23, was given an 18 month community rehabilitation order at Bury St Edmunds Crown Court, after admitting three charges relating to children.

"I think that's disgusting because of what the boys have been through. I think really she should have served a prison sentence, I think it's giving people the opportunity to smack kids around," said the spokesman.

"We're the ones picking up the pieces for what the children have been through.

"They're still very hard work, they are argumentative, they don't do anything you tell them.

"It's very hard to control them, they don't sleep at night properly, it's going to be a good year before they're back to normal.

"I was hoping for a prison sentence," he said but added that he had been prepared for the judge to give Rogers a more lenient penalty of community service.

"She didn't even get community service, I was quite shocked, they are making her out to be all depressed and that but she had rave parties. It never seemed to me that she was depressed."

Rogers, of Withipoll Street, Ipswich, admitted two charges of neglect and one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. One of the children had his penis grabbed and held leaving the boy swollen and bruised.

The judge told the court that it would not have been in the public interest to give Rogers a prison sentence. He added that he took in to account her guilty plea and apparent remorse.

A psychiatric report revealed that Rogers had been suffering from a depressive illness and difficulties originating from her up-bringing.

The spokesman said that he did not think the community rehabilitation order was a suitable punishment because he believes Rogers will not turn up for her appointments. "I think they will see her back in court," he added.

"If it helps – good for her – but it mustn't help the children."