A couple from Peterborough have been sentenced after their four-month-old baby was found to have a fractured leg in what police described as a shocking and upsetting case. The infant was admitted to hospital in the early hours of 2 January 2019, where scans revealed the fracture along with evidence of older injuries.
The parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told hospital staff that the father was changing the baby’s nappy around midnight when he heard a popping sound. However, doctors identified two older fractures and a possible third, leading to child cruelty charges.
The father, in his 20s, admitted causing or allowing a child to suffer physical harm and was jailed for one year and ten months. The mother, in her 30s, pleaded guilty to child cruelty and received a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. She was also ordered to complete a rehabilitation activity requirement and a 12-month mental health treatment programme.
Detective Constable Kev Foxcroft said the case had the potential for a far worse outcome if hospital staff had not noticed something was wrong. He added that the child is now thriving in a safe and happy environment.
