Jail time

The couple, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the children, had pleaded guilty to three charges of "engaging in conduct that was reckless and may have resulted in the child suffering".

The District Court was told the offences were committed over eight years after the children were diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which affected the connective tissue in their bodies.

The couple's daughter was aged between seven and 14 at the time of the offending, while one of their sons was between five and 11, and the other between nine and 11-years-old.

The Samoa Observer reports the second defendant was handed a two-year suspended sentence.

The pair were charged with disorderly behaviour and had also been accused of setting up a roadblock at Salelologa that effectively stopped a planned Human Rights Protection Party vehicle rally around Savaii in August.

HRPP leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi called off the rally for safety reasons after gunshots were heard at the roadblock.

Two matai of Sasina village have also been charged by police for setting up a separate roadblock on the same day at their village.