An Ammanford woman set fire to her own daughter during what the prosecution allege were years of “systematic physical, emotional and sexual abuse.”

The woman also allegedly beat her and forced her to cook meals but refused to allow her to eat any of the food.

The woman denies 10 charges of child cruelty and neglect to two of her daughters.

Her partner denies six charges of indecently assaulting the older daughter one of indecently assaulting her sister.

They cannot be named to protect the identities of the alleged victims.

Nicola Powell, prosecuting, said the elder girl ran away from home when she was 15.

Her sister had been only a baby at the time but years later she made similar complaints to the police.

Miss Powell told a jury at Swansea crown court that the elder girl had suffered years of physical abuse by her mother and sexual abuse by her step father.

Her mother had called her the “spawn of the devil” and told her she wished she had aborted her before she had been born.

And she is said to have described her as a slug and then said she wished she really was one because she could put salt on her.

Miss Powell said there had been numerous incidents of cruelty.

On one occasion she was forced to cook a curry but told not to eat any. Her mother suspected she had tasted a little while clearing away the pans.

Miss Powell said she was stripped naked and beaten with a cane. Then she was forced into a cold shower and chilli powder was pushed into her mouth.

On another occasion her mother set her trousers on fire and did nothing to put out the flames, added Miss Powell.

Her sister received similar treatment, it was alleged. She was dragged downstairs and kicked and punched for being “a little” late home, laid across a coffee table and beaten with a cane and her hands were held over a lit candle.

Miss Powell said while the cruelty was taking place the older girl’s step father repeatedly sexually abused her and indecently assaulted the younger girl on one occasion.

The jury heard that after their arrests both denied any of the incidents had taken place.

The mother told police, “It’s a fabrication, total garbage.”

The trial continues.