Norman McConnachie and Rachel Boyd, of Newtonhill, deny abuse of girls
A man and a woman have denied ill-treating two children.
Norman McConnachie, 42, and Rachel Boyd, 39, of Newtonhill, Aberdeenshire, are alleged to have forced the girls to carry out physical exercise outdoors in the snow.
It is claimed the children were forced to carry weights and were said to have been dragged through snow, dog excrement and urine.
The case at Aberdeen Sheriff Court was continued.
A further pre-trial hearing will be held.