US man 'chained slave wife for decade'

A US man tortured his wife and kept her in chains for a decade, treating her as his slave, police say.

The 43-year-old woman was burned on her back and breasts with irons and frying pans, and her foot was smashed under farm equipment. She also allegedly delivered a stillborn child while in chains. Another infant survived.

Thirty-seven-year-old Peter Lizon is being held in a West Virginia jail on €300,000 (£193,000) bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on a malicious wounding charge on Friday.

Jackson County Chief Deputy Tony Boggs says the victim has endured more torture than virtually any domestic violence victim he has ever seen.

Lizon's lawyer was not immediately available for comment but told local TV the allegations are false.

AP