In a tragic case, a 10-year-old boy was forced to live in an old coal shed by his mother and her lover, it was alleged.

Police described the coal shed as "cell," and magistrates were told that it had a soiled mattress, a potty and dirty clothes, according to The Sun.

The boy was allegedly forced to live in the coal shed located at the couple's back garden between January 1, 2010 - January, 25, 2011. The coal shed was believed to have been locked from outside and had no personal stuff or toys.

The boy's mother, 39, and her 45-year-old partner, from Grange Park area of Blackpool in Lancashire, are charged with ill treating and neglecting the child, reported the Daily Mail.

The mother appeared before magistrates in Blackpool, Lancashire, while prosecutors said that the couple was taken into custody after an incident at the child's school. The magistrates were told that social services along with officers rushed to the house and found the boy living in the former coal shed.

Both the defendants did not make any plea to the charges, and an order was announced, banning identification of the boy.

Prosecutor Martine Connah told justices that case was not appropriate to be dealt with at the magistrates' court, reported The Sun.

However, the couple was released on bail until February 29, for the case to be committed to crown court and they are not allowed to contact the boy or any child below 16 years of age. The boy is now under the care of social service organisation.