Baby's skull is fractured after man bashes head into sofa

A BABYSITTER who fractured a baby's skull by banging it against a sofa has been jailed for 16 months.

Kevin Hall had been left in charge of a baby at a home in Derby but when the child would not settle he lost his temper.

The 37-year-old, who had been drinking, threw a toy at the youngster's forehead – then picked the child up and banged its head against a sofa.

Derby Crown Court was told that Hall initially lied about the incident, causing a delay in getting medical treatment for the baby but the child was later taken to hospital and found to have a fractured skull. It has since made a full recovery.

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Prosecutor Sarah Allan told the court that, when the child would not calm down, Hall said "Why aren't you asleep?" before throwing a plastic toy at the baby's head, causing it to cry loudly.

Ms Allen said: "He went outside to have a cigarette and calm down, and continued drinking alcohol.

"The defendant was frustrated [with the baby] and picked it up by the waist and banged its head against the arm of the settee. He heard a loud thump and that caused the child to start screaming."

The court heard that it would have taken "significant force" to fracture the baby's skull. There was also a "light brown bruise" on the child's forehead which had been caused when hit by the toy.

When the mother returned home, she queried the bruise and was initially told by Hall that the baby had "headbutted" him.

It was not until several days after the incident that the child was taken to hospital.

A CT scan showed everything was normal but an X-ray revealed a fracture to the right side of the baby's skull.

The court was also told the tot had since made a full recovery and would have no memory of the incident.

Hall, now of Northampton, admitted assault and inflicting grievous bodily harm on January 21 last year. He was also barred for life from working with children.

Judge Jonathan Gosling told him: "This was a gross breach of trust. You were left to babysit."

The judge said Hall had initially lied about the incident but later made a full statement to police.

The judge added: "That took a degree of courage. Many people in your position would not do that because of the shame it brings to the perpetrator."

In 2009, Hall received a caution for a "common assault domestic matter," the court heard. He had no previous criminal convictions.

Chris Hallas, in mitigation, said: "He deeply regrets the actions which caused pain and anguish to the mother and extended family."

Mr Hallas told the court that Hall had accepted that prison was inevitable. He said: "He knows he is to be punished. Clearly, he didn't help himself by consuming alcohol. That is the type of man you have to sentence.

"He made full admissions and accepts full responsibility for what he did. He provided a statement and co-operated with the police."