"There is no excuse for harming a child"

Friday 09 June 2017

A father who smacked his young son for up to 30 minutes for “struggling” to eat a hot cross bun has been sentenced to 180 hours of community service and a 12-month probation order.

The man, who Express has chosen not to name to protect the children’s anonymity, admitted four counts of cruelty to children in the Magistrate's Court after his two sons made disclosures of physical abuse to their primary school.

The Court heard that the father had smacked his sons – the youngest of which was six when the abuse started – for at least two years, leaving them with bruising.

Reasons for the smacking ranged from being distracted at school to having failed to eat a hot cross bun quickly enough because one of the children did not like raisins.

On another occasion, the defendant was said to have smacked his youngest son for playing with his toolbox.

“[It] made him feel as if his father didn’t care about him,” the prosecution said of the child, who had previously been left with red marks to his bottom, which took around a week to disappear.

This was the second time in four years that the man had been charged with abuse against children.

Seeking to explain the circumstances of the father, who also has Asperger’s, the Defence argued that the children could sometimes be a “handful when they’re together” and “difficult to control”, but that the family had otherwise enjoyed, “…many happy years together playing outdoors and indoors.”

Nonetheless, since being charged, the Court heard that the defendant’s life had “fallen apart”, with his wife and sons permanently relocating abroad, meaning that he risks not being able to see his children for some years. “The risk in itself is a very substantial punishment,” his advocate argued.

In addition, the father had shown significant remorse and was taking, “…life-changing steps to halt his thinking and actions” to better cope with future stress.

Handing down the sentence, which is equivalent to 12 months’ imprisonment, Relief Magistrate David Le Cornu said:

“This is the second occasion within a fairly short period of time that you are charged with causing harm to children… These are serious charges and as second offences would normally attract an immediate custodial sentence - indeed, even a first offence… [But] I’m satisfied that I can in all circumstances take an exceptional course of a non-custodial sentence.”

Speaking following the sentencing, an NSPCC spokesperson told Express: 

“There is no excuse for harming a child. It can cause serious and often lasting effects, both physical and mental, and can significantly impact upon a child’s development.

“It is right that the defendant in this case has been held to account for his actions, and support should be provided to this family to ensure this does not happen again.”

Any adult with concerns for a child’s welfare or a parent seeking support or advice can contact the NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000. Meanwhile, children and young people can seek support from Childline on 0800 1111.