Angry babysitter broke tot's arm

SUSPENDED sentence for Lucy Howarth who broke baby's arm

A WOMAN broke a baby's arm in a fit of rage following a petty tiff with her boyfriend.

A court heard how college student Lucy Howarth, 20, took out her anger on the infant she was looking after.

The baby was later taken to hospital after another adult noticed he wasn't moving his right arm and was in distress.

The boy was said to be in great discomfort and pain but has since made a recovery after treatment for the fracture.

Howarth, from Oldham, was arrested soon after the incident but falsely blamed the other woman for causing the baby's injuries.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, she was convicted of child cruelty after a trial but escaped with an 18-month jail term suspended for two years.

She was also spared having to complete unpaid work after Howarth's lawyer insisted that she can be a pleasant young lady with an engaging personality.

It emerged she pockets Employment Support Allowance but has been deemed 'unfit for work' due to health issues. She denied wrongdoing.

Distressed

The court heard the assault was inflicted while Howarth was looking after the baby on October 7, 2015. She was said to be in a distressed state on the day of the offence as she was concerned about her relationship with her partner.

Prosecuting, Jonathan Savage said: "On October 7 the defendant contacted her mother very distressed saying she was going to kill herself because of the problems in her life. Her mother calmed her down and persuaded her otherwise. The defendant was in a distressed state, concerned for the relationship between her and her partner."

Two days later the baby was being looked after by a carer who noticed the child being 'whingy'. Mr Savage added: "She tried to feed him but he would not take any milk and then she noticed he was not moving his right arm.

"When in the cot he would move his left arm but not right arm. She took him to the hospital where he was seen by a doctor who diagnosed a slightly displaced fracture to the lower third of the right humerus.

"This would have required significant force, it's one of the stronger bones in the body. The doctor said it was indicative of twisting the arm and would have caused a good deal of pain and distress and caused the child to cry immediately.

"The child would have been in a great deal of discomfort and pain and it would have been obvious to whoever was caring for him at the time. The doctor decided it was not accidental.''

Howarth was arrested the same day but initially claimed to know nothing about the injury. Mr Savage said: "She spoke about having a falling out with her partner. The defendant maintained the position that she was not responsible. It's been described that the child has made a full physical recovery. He is clingy but it's not thought there will be any long term effects.

"The defendant failed to seek prompt medical treatment and during the course of her interviews she sought to blame others. The doctor said the child would have been in a great deal of discomfort."

In mitigation Howarth's lawyer, Michael Johnson, said: "The assault was reckless but not deliberate. At the time she was only 17 and emotionally unstable. She made a number of choices and decisions which were - at the very least - very unfortunate indeed. I would submit that she was in a particular bad place at that time.

"She's very fortunate to be able to count on continued support on her mum. The defendant has had a wake-up call as a result of these proceedings. She has been in a serious amount of distress, she feels she is at the brink. Not withstanding what you know about her, she can be a pleasant young lady with an engaging personality."

Passing sentence, Judge Bernadette Baxter, said: "She was selfish and self indulgent and I dare say this incident was born out of extreme immaturity. She's never had any employment outside the home and is very socially isolated.''

She told Howarth: "You clearly have troubles from your own home circumstances and blame other rather than seek responsibility for your own actions. You need assistance to deal with those matters and to try and become a responsible adult and a responsible member of society.''