04/10/2012
Man Charged With Fracturing Baby's Skull
A 25-year-old man from West Belfast fractured his baby’s skull causing injuries to her head and face, it is alleged.
The man has appeared before Belfast Crown Court, charged with grievous bodily harm.
He cannot be named, in order to protect the identity of the child.
The court has heard how the baby’s mother found her child with facial injuries and bruising, including two black eyes and a bloody nose.
The attack is occurred 3 November 2010, it is alleged.
The jury at Belfast Crown Court was told the child’s mother left the house for around 20 minutes, just as her daughter was being set own for a nap by the father.
When she returned, she found the child lying injured. A CT scan later showed a suspected fracture to the right side of her skull.
The judge warned the jury before the case began that they would be witness to photographs of the child’s injuries, but emphasised that they should not allow their judgement to be swayed by sympathy or prejudice.
Prosecuting lawyer Kate McKay told the court that doctors confirmed the child’s injuries were "non-accidental" and had been caused by "blunt force impact to the face and head."
Having been arrested, the child’s father told officers the only explanation was that he had hit his daughter’s head accidentally against a wall and that a baby’s bottle he had been carrying had fallen from between his teeth and hit her in the face.
But Mrs McKay told the jury they would hear from a paedatric expert who was of the opinion this could not be considered a sufficient explanation.
The court was told that, upon arrival at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, the child’s mother had ignored the usual protocol and had simply barged in, calling for doctors to call the police.
(IT/GK)
The man has appeared before Belfast Crown Court, charged with grievous bodily harm.
He cannot be named, in order to protect the identity of the child.
The court has heard how the baby’s mother found her child with facial injuries and bruising, including two black eyes and a bloody nose.
The attack is occurred 3 November 2010, it is alleged.
The jury at Belfast Crown Court was told the child’s mother left the house for around 20 minutes, just as her daughter was being set own for a nap by the father.
When she returned, she found the child lying injured. A CT scan later showed a suspected fracture to the right side of her skull.
The judge warned the jury before the case began that they would be witness to photographs of the child’s injuries, but emphasised that they should not allow their judgement to be swayed by sympathy or prejudice.
Prosecuting lawyer Kate McKay told the court that doctors confirmed the child’s injuries were "non-accidental" and had been caused by "blunt force impact to the face and head."
Having been arrested, the child’s father told officers the only explanation was that he had hit his daughter’s head accidentally against a wall and that a baby’s bottle he had been carrying had fallen from between his teeth and hit her in the face.
But Mrs McKay told the jury they would hear from a paedatric expert who was of the opinion this could not be considered a sufficient explanation.
The court was told that, upon arrival at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, the child’s mother had ignored the usual protocol and had simply barged in, calling for doctors to call the police.
(IT/GK)
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