Man who attacked baby set free by judge
A fairground worker from the Black Country who seriously injured an 11 month old child after losing his temper, has been spared jail.
The man was looking after the little girl at the time of the offence, a judge heard.
Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting told Wolverhampton Crown Court: “The child was behaving in a troublesome way and he grabbed her in a forcible manner and her head shook.
"Then he slammed her into a high chair in such a way that it banged her head.”
The man, in his 20s, called for an ambulance and the youngster was taken to hospital where she had six convulsions and required resuscitation.
Scans and other checks revealed she had suffered haemorrhages in her eyes and bruising and bleeding to the brain, it was said.
The girl spent several days in paediatric intensive care.
The incident happened in January 2015 but it remains unclear if its legacy will be long term medical problems, the court heard.
Mr Frederick Powell, defending, said: “It was a sudden loss of control that led to the injuries and he made no attempt to divert blame to other people.”
The defendant admitted causing grievous bodily harm and was given a 12 month jail term suspended for 18 months by Judge Peter Barrie who told him: “The criminal law is here to protect vulnerable people and there is none more vulnerable that a young child.
"They can be fractious and test the patience of adults. On this occasion you lost your temper and put her in a high chair in such a way that it caused bruising and bleeding inside her brain.”
The judge added: “This has been hanging over you for more than three and a half years.
“You have shown marked signs of increased responsibility and the probation service feel they can work with you in a way that you will not be a risk to children in the future and so I am prepared to suspend the sentence.”
