November 2014
12-hour delay to get hospital treatment for battered Normacot child
A YOUNG child suffered extensive cuts and bruises after being attacked by a man – but was not taken to hospital for almost 12 hours.
Police investigating the incident were told the child had hurt itself after falling.
But officers later arrested two people – Nicholas Stubbs and Rebecca Mason – who were with the youngster at the time of the incident.
Now the two defendants have been sentenced for child cruelty after Stubbs assaulted the child and Mason failed to seek immediate medical help.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court has been told how a neighbour heard the child’s cries coming from a house in Normacot.
The court heard the youngster was given medication and ice was put on the injuries following the attack at the hands of Stubbs but the child was not taken to hospital for hours.
Prosecutor Adam Pearson told the court: “The doctor noted injuries, including bruises, abrasions and cuts.”
The court heard Stubbs was ‘ill-equipped’ to be in charge of the child.
Paul Cliff, representing Stubbs, said: “It was a single incident. Fortunately the victim of this assault has no sign of any long-term physical effects.”
Mason’s defence barrister, Stuart Muldoon, said his client would benefit from help from the probation service.
Stubbs, aged 22, of Mollison Road, Meir, was jailed for two years after being convicted of two offences of cruelty to a child.
Co-accused Mason, aged 21, of Holly Road, Chesterton, was handed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after she pleaded guilty to one offence of child cruelty. She must also serve an 18-month supervision order.
Judge David Fletcher told the defendants: “The injuries were nasty, and particularly nasty when you take into account the fact this was a little child.
“In your pre-sentence reports, you showed no real remorse in the sense that you have no real empathy or understanding of the impact of your behaviour on this innocent, little child.
“There can be no greater responsibility placed upon us than the care of a child.”
