11/10/2012
Man Convicted Of Assault On Baby Daughter
A west Belfast man has been convicted of assaulting and fracturing the skull of his seven-month-old daughter.
The man, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
He had been looking after his daughter for a period of about 20 minutes while the child’s mother had left the room.
When she returned, the baby had two black eyes, a bloody nose and bruising all over her face.
The jury was told how a CT scan showed a fracture on the right side of her skull.
When interviewed by police, the accused claimed the injuries had been caused by his daughter having accidentally hit her head against the wall as he was carrying her to bed.
He also claimed that a milk bottle which he had been holding between his teeth had slipped and hit the child in the face.
However consultant paediatrician Dr Patricia Kenny described that explanation as "implausible", telling the jury that the bruising must have come from multiple blows, as if "you have been banging about in a road traffic accident".
Dr Kenny told the jury babies are "pretty tough" and that it was "very unusual" to see fractures of the frontal bone, except in extreme cases.
She said: "Skull fractures don't occur accidentally unless there's been a significant forceful impact such as a road traffic accident or fall from a first floor window."
(IT)
The man, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
He had been looking after his daughter for a period of about 20 minutes while the child’s mother had left the room.
When she returned, the baby had two black eyes, a bloody nose and bruising all over her face.
The jury was told how a CT scan showed a fracture on the right side of her skull.
When interviewed by police, the accused claimed the injuries had been caused by his daughter having accidentally hit her head against the wall as he was carrying her to bed.
He also claimed that a milk bottle which he had been holding between his teeth had slipped and hit the child in the face.
However consultant paediatrician Dr Patricia Kenny described that explanation as "implausible", telling the jury that the bruising must have come from multiple blows, as if "you have been banging about in a road traffic accident".
Dr Kenny told the jury babies are "pretty tough" and that it was "very unusual" to see fractures of the frontal bone, except in extreme cases.
She said: "Skull fractures don't occur accidentally unless there's been a significant forceful impact such as a road traffic accident or fall from a first floor window."
(IT)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 February 2008
NI Football Legend Quits Ulster
Former Northern Ireland footballing legend Gerry Armstrong is quitting Ulster because his wife Debbie is suffering a campaign of harassment from a stalker. For 20 months Debbie has been subjected to a high volume of crude and abusive text messages as well as some abusive phone calls. All the incidents have been reported to the PSNI.
NI Football Legend Quits Ulster
Former Northern Ireland footballing legend Gerry Armstrong is quitting Ulster because his wife Debbie is suffering a campaign of harassment from a stalker. For 20 months Debbie has been subjected to a high volume of crude and abusive text messages as well as some abusive phone calls. All the incidents have been reported to the PSNI.
21 April 2021
New IRA Blamed For Bomb On Police Officer And Daughter
The PSNI have blamed the New IRA for putting a viable explosive device at a police officer's car beside where her three-year-old daughter sits in L'Derry. An investigation has launched after a bomb was left at the rear door of her car in Dungiven.
New IRA Blamed For Bomb On Police Officer And Daughter
The PSNI have blamed the New IRA for putting a viable explosive device at a police officer's car beside where her three-year-old daughter sits in L'Derry. An investigation has launched after a bomb was left at the rear door of her car in Dungiven.
19 March 2020
Nobel Prize Winner Betty Williams Dies
Tributes have been paid following the death of Nobel laureate and peace activist Betty Williams. Ms Williams, who co-founded the Peace People movement in Northern Ireland in 1976, passed away on Tuesday at age 76.
Nobel Prize Winner Betty Williams Dies
Tributes have been paid following the death of Nobel laureate and peace activist Betty Williams. Ms Williams, who co-founded the Peace People movement in Northern Ireland in 1976, passed away on Tuesday at age 76.
04 October 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.
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.
11 July 2012
Lennox The Dog Put To Sleep
A dangerous pit bull at the centre of an international campaign to overturn its death sentence was put down today. Supporters of Lennox included Samantha Fox, boxer Lennox Lewis, the Duchess of York, First Minister Peter Robinson and Morissey, but the dog was put down this morning.
Lennox The Dog Put To Sleep
A dangerous pit bull at the centre of an international campaign to overturn its death sentence was put down today. Supporters of Lennox included Samantha Fox, boxer Lennox Lewis, the Duchess of York, First Minister Peter Robinson and Morissey, but the dog was put down this morning.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.