A TODDLER was left with a severe brain injury after he was assaulted for refusing to walk to school. Ben Vowles, 29, and Kimberley Roberts, 26, physically assaulted the boy after he refused to walk to school with their children, they were both SPARED prison Hull Crown Court heard the toddler was vulnerable and had a weakness in his legs which caused him problems with walking. Roberts dragged him to her home and pushed him over, causing him to strike his head on furniture which rendered him unconscious with a bleed on the brain. The pair were supposed to be looking after the boy. At hospital, he was discovered to have bruising on his back which Vowles admitted was caused by him chastising the child. A brain scan also revealed the toddler had suffered a previous head injury. Judge Mark Bury told Roberts her actions were unforgivable. Both defendants wept in the dock as they were sentenced and Roberts sobbed “I’m sorry”. She had originally told the police he was a clumsy child and she bore no responsibility for what had happened. However, on the day of her trial, Roberts pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and Vowles pleaded guilty to child cruelty. The couple, both of west Hull, have been SPARED jail. Instead, Vowles was given six months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. Roberts was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and was ordered to carry out a 16-week specified activity programme and was ordered to be supervised for two years. The toddler had a bruise to his forehead and was bleeding from the mouth. Doctors said the injury sustained must have required “significant” force. The toddler has recovered but medics will not know if he has suffered permanent injuries until he is older.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 08:33:03 +0000
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