Hyde Couple Jailed For Baby Neglect And Abuse

21 March 2012, 17:18 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A man and a woman from Hyde have been jailed after a baby boy was repeatedly abused and neglected over a period of three months

23 year old Kevin Ford from Hyde pleaded guilty to section 20 assault at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court and was today sentenced to two years in prison.

22 year old Rebecca Bates also from Hyde pleaded guilty to child cruelty and was sentenced to six months in prison.

In February police were called to Tameside General Hospital following reports of an injured baby boy.

Medical staff found that the boy had suffered a number of fractures to his arms and legs.

Inquiries found the baby had been neglected and abused over three months, between 2 November 2010 and 28 January 2011.

As a result of the investigation, Ford and Bates were both arrested in April last year.

Detective Constable Kathryn Mackenzie of the Public Protection Division said: “On each occasion that the defendants were asked about the various injuries, they came up with excuses. 

“Sometimes they would say that he was injured when playing with toys, or that he had an allergic reaction.

“However our investigation concluded that this boy had been subjected to routine abuse and neglect.

“We have worked closely with our partner agencies and thankfully this boy is now safe from harm.”