A SINGLE mother physically abused her adopted son over a four-year period despite social services and the police being aware of the attacks.

The abuse included the woman throwing boiling spaghetti in the boy's face when she could not cope with his behaviour.

The judge who heard the case at Exeter Crown Court this week heavily criticised the adoption agency and social services for not picking up on clear warning signs.

An investigation into abuse of the boy was carried out in November 2005 but failed to find sufficient evidence. Fresh allegations of abuse came to light in September last year, which prompted the recent investigation.

Devon County Council refused to answer questions yesterday or make any comment on what action was taken to ensure the boy's welfare after the first investigation.

But a leading children's charity said the case was "very concerning" and pointed to "inadequate monitoring".

This latest case of serious abuse follows last week's conviction of baby killer Brian Saunders, who was jailed for life with a minimum of 18 years for the murder of his five-week-old son Rilee in Torpoint, South East Cornwall, despite having earlier convictions for violence against a pregnant girlfriend and child cruelty.

In the Exeter case, the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to child cruelty but walked free from court after being given a conditional discharge. The court heard she was one of the first lone parents in Devon to be allowed to adopt a child.

Recorder Michael Evans QC told the 43-year-old: "You told the relevant agencies of your problems but they did nothing to investigate the situation. You were a single lady who was keen to adopt and it is clear all the agencies considered you were suitable. But it is also clear from an early stage you could not cope although you did your level best.

"However, you lost your temper and could not control yourself when things got difficult. You were reporting to the adoption agency and social services and the warning signs were there. But they were not picked up when they clearly should have been."

Prosecutor Oliver Carlyon told the court the boy had boiling spaghetti thrown over his face and when he screamed with pain the woman told him to lie about what had happened and say he had fallen over. Mr Carlyon said he was repeatedly slapped across the face and, on one occasion, was kicked into a laundry room where he was locked in without food.

Nigel Wraith, defending, told the court the woman was remorseful about what had happened but when she sought help from various agencies it was not forthcoming.

A council spokesman refused to answer questions about the case but issued a statement which said: "Devon County Council and the police have worked closely together to bring about this conviction. We are committed to ensuring the welfare and protection of all children."

A police spokesman said there was insufficient evidence from the first investigation and the accused was given advice.

He said: "The woman was placed in the privileged position of providing a home, love and protection for this child but failed in her obligations as well as systematically physically and emotionally abusing him. Our thoughts go out to this child and we are content that the conviction for child cruelty is a completely appropriate and just outcome."

Claude Knights, director of the charity Kidscape, said the case was yet another example of vulnerable children being failed by inadequate procedures.

She said: "This comes hot on the heels of public fury over the death of Baby P and the Rilee Saunders murder.

"This is another case of a child suffering at the hands of their main carer who should be protecting them. It's very, very concerning when a child has already been highlighted as being at risk and is then returned to the same situation with what can only be described as inadequate monitoring. Again a vulnerable child has fallen through the safety net designed to protect them. When is it going to stop?"