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Search forBaby was injured in parents' 'tug-of-war'
Friday, November 21, 2008, 17:12
Neath magistrates heard that following this struggle, Michael Morris, who had been drinking all day, took his child into the street and was found by police staggering along the pavement.
Andrew David, prosecuting, said the incident took place on July 16 this year.
He explained that police were alerted by the baby's mother at around 9pm, when she told them Morris had been drinking and had "grabbed the baby and taken it from her and left the premises".
Mr David said that when officers attended they found 35-year-old Morris at Sunny Bank in Waunceirch.
"The defendant was seen in the street, staggering and clutching the young child," the court was told.
Mr David added that Morris was extremely intoxicated and was slurring his words. He said police then noticed him put the baby on his shoulder, causing the child's head to make contact with his and bounce.
"He appeared to be handling the child quite roughly and the child was visibly cold," said Mr David.
He added that the baby's head and hands looked blue.
The court heard that police managed to get Morris to take the baby home, after which she was given to paramedics to check over.
Morris was then arrested, said Mr David. He added that, during interview, it emerged another incident had taken place before the baby was taken into the street.
"There was something of a struggle, for want of better words, a tug-of-war between the two parents with the baby in between," said Mr David.
"During the struggle the child was injured."
He also told the court that a paediatrician, Gareth Thomas, examined the child and found a 4mm abrasion over her left eyebrow and a 3mm abrasion on the top of her head.
Mr David said that, other than that, the child appeared well fed, appropriately dressed and well cared for.
Gary Newbury, mitigating, said they had been a normal family until this incident.
He told the court: "It was certainly not malicious: this man was under the belief he was doing his best for the child."
Mr Newbury accepted there were also issues around Morris's level of alcohol consumption.
District judge Richard Williams told Morris: "You were drunk and it seems to me you drink too much and too often."
He added that he did not believe Morris intentionally behaved badly towards the child, but was misguidedly doing what he thought was best for the baby.
"You were acting beyond your abilities with this child," said Judge Williams.
He did, however, reveal the probation service would liaise with social services to assess if there was any risk to the baby.
After a request by a reporter, the judge lifted a section 39 order prohibiting the identification of the child, allowing the full facts of the case to be reported.
Morris, of Green Street, was sentenced to a two-year community order, during which time he will be supervised.
As part of the order, Morris will be referred to the West Glamorgan Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. He must also pay costs of £50.
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