JURORS in a child abuse trial have heard from a witness who said she was physically and sexually abused by a defendant over the course of several years.

The witness, who cannot be named, for legal reasons, alleged that Michael Brooks used his belt, his fists, and on one occasion a large wooden chair to beat both her and another girl.

"He was always in a rage but sometimes it was worse than others, he was severely out of control," she said.

The witness also alleged that Maureen Brooks and another defendant Patricia Harris took part in striptease sessions at drunken parties, even though children were present. "I would get used to seeing adults drunk and naked," she said.

Earlier the court heard how children were offered as prizes at drunken parties staged by a Hampshire couple and their "dysfunctional friends", a child abuse trial was told today.

David Bartlett, prosecuting, told Southampton Crown Court that some of the parties organised by Michael Brooks and his wife Maureen descended into orgies at which children were exposed to pornography.

The Brooks and seven other defendants are accused of committing 32 offences between 1968 and 2007, including rape, sexual activity with a child, and indecent assault.

One of the six alleged victims was aged only seven when she was raped for the first time, the court heard.

Outlining the prosecution case, Mr Bartlett said drinking parties staged at a house in Drake Close, New Milton, often resulted in children being offered as prizes in card games.

Mr Bartlett added: "All the defendants, with the exception of Maureen Brooks, were involved in the sexual abuse of the complainants.

"The central defendant is undoubtedly Michael Brooks, and around him orbits the other defendants and their offending."

Maureen Brooks was aware that physical and sexual abuse of children was taking place, but did nothing to prevent it, the court heard.

Maureen Brooks, 63, of Church Lane, Lymington, is facing seven counts of cruelty to a child under the age of 16.

Patrice Wolfgang Budd, 47, of Avon Road, Bournemouth, is accused of indecency with a child.

Patricia Harris, 57, of Hare Lane, New Milton, is accused of attempted rape.

Peter Raymond Saville, 53, of Winston Way, Ringwood, is accused of sexual activity with a child.

Nico Sharque44, of Rudd Close, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, is accused of indecent assault.

John Wells, 58, of St James Street, Brighton, is accused of indecent assault.

Ian Robert Whitlock, 66, of Cull Lane, New Milton, is accused of indecent assault and sexual assault.

All have pleaded not guilty.

Michael Brooks, 66, of Church Lane, Lymington, has been ruled unfit to enter a plea.

He is facing five counts of cruelty to a child under the age of 16, five counts of indecent assault, five counts of rape, one count of sexual activity with a child, and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Proceeding