Bradford drug-addict dad jailed for cruelty to his three-month old baby (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford drug-addict dad jailed for cruelty to his three-month old baby

9:00am Saturday 13th October 2012 in News By Jenny Loweth, T&A Reporter

The drug addict parents of a three-month-old baby admitted to hospital with fractures have been sentenced for child cruelty.

Bradford Crown Court heard that “a conspiracy of silence” between them meant it was not known how the little boy received “horrific” injuries, including a fractured skull, six broken ribs and a fractured arm and leg.

His 36-year-old father, told by a judge he had “a callous disregard” for his son’s well-being, was jailed for 22 months.

The child’s mother, now his main carer under the supervision of Social Services, wept in the dock yesterday as she was sentenced to a two-year community order.

Judge John Potter said she had made “remarkable and praiseworthy steps” to conquer her drug addiction and had suffered violence from the child’s father.

Both parents, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the toddler, pleaded guilty to child cruelty. They neglected their baby from birth until September 28, 2010, when he was admitted to hospital for a second time and the healing fractures discovered.

Judge Potter said the baby “was born into a life of chaos, characterised by drug use by both of you and a violent relationship.”

On August 24, 2010, the man took his baby son to hospital with a large bruise behind his ear.

Doctors were concerned about the man’s behaviour. He told them he no longer took heroin but had used amphetamine that day.

He said he accidentally dropped his son and he signed a contract with Social Services not to have unsupervised contact with him.

The following month police were called to the woman’s Bradford home to reports of a domestic incident.

Bruising was seen on the baby’s head and he was admitted to Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Mr Gregg said examination showed “horrific” multiple fractures. The mother admitted abusing amphetamine and having “a pyschotic episode.” She had been seeing her partner in breach of a court order.

The man said she was “heavy-handed” and had thrown the baby into his cot.

He had a record for violence, including punching the woman, breaking her nose.

Judge Potter said the couple, who are no longer together, put their own selfish needs before those of their baby.