Baby suffered brain and leg injuries at hands of his own father

Newcastle Crown Court was told the dad was left alone with the boy on three occasions during which he harmed him without his partner knowing.

A subsequent trip to a walk in centre revealed nine injuries including multiple fractures to both legs and bleeding to brain tissue, the court hearing was told.

Prosecutor Annie Richardson said that despite appearing well to a health care visitor shortly after being injured, the baby's condition declined.

His mother contacted her own mum about the baby’s condition, as well as seeking help online when she found swelling around his head.

After the parents, who can't be named for legal reasons but are from the Washington area, took their child to a nearby walk-in centre, an X-Ray and CT scan showed he had sustained a catalogue of serious injuries.

The police were called and both parents were arrested by officers.

The man made admissions to a friend he went to stay with, telling him: "I'm going to tell you something, you're not going to like it, promise me you won't kill me."

He later pleaded guilty at court to unlawfully inflicting grievous bodily harm and cruelty to a person under 16.

His partner admitted cruelty to a person aged under 16.

Shaun Routledge, defending the father, told the court about the abuse he received in his own childhood which has had an effect on his mental health issues.

Tony Cornberg, representing the baby's mother, told the court that she was appearing as a result of her "inaction", in not seeking help as quick as she could have.

He added that she had recently completed voluntary programmes to help deal with the situation and her mental health problems, and has benefited as a result.

Judge Adams sentenced the father to four years and three months imprisonment, calling the situation "deliberate" and "targeted".

The woman was spared jail and handed a six months prison sentence suspended for 18 months, with 15 days rehabilitation requirements and 100 hours of unpaid work.

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