Crying baby left with bruised face after slapped by 'irritated' father in West Bromwich
A young father left his seven-month-old baby with bruises on his face when he slapped him twice after becoming 'irritated to the max' by his crying.
The 19-year-old was looking after the baby alone when he lost his temper, slapping him twice across the face, Sandwell Magistrates Court heard.
His actions left his son with bruises on both sides of his face while hospital scans showed the inside of his ear was also bruised. Magistrates heard how the young father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been left to look after his son in West Bromwich while the baby's mother went to the job centre.
When later questioned by police, the father said the baby had begun crying almost immediately. He then tried changing the baby, but the crying continued and he slapped him twice to the face.
Mrs Rachel Smith, prosecuting, told the court: "He said at that point he lost it, was irritated to the max, lost control and slapped him twice. On a scale of one to 10 he said it was a seven. He heard the slap when he made contact. He is very remorseful and very disgusted."
The father phoned the baby's mother, to let her know what happened, the court heard. Horrified, she rushed home and after asking the advice of a friend, phoned social services who in turn contacted the police.
The teenager pleaded guilty to wilfully assaulting, neglecting or ill-treating a child in his care and is due to be sentenced on July 6.
His solicitor Mr Numann Haque said: "He tells me he has suffered with mental health problems, depression and anxiety. He has put his hands up straight away and pleaded guilty."
