Key facts
- Offender
- Thomas Pickering, 25, of Eliza Street, Burnley
- Sentence
- 13 months' imprisonment
- Offence
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- Victim
- Baby girl, age not specified
- Injury
- Bite mark on right cheek, bruise on left earlobe, marks on neck and right arm
- Court
- Bradford Crown Court
Background
A man has been jailed for 13 months after biting a baby girl on the cheek, causing her 'significant pain and distress'. The incident occurred while the man was caring for the child.
Bradford Crown Court heard that Thomas Pickering had been looking after the baby while her mother was out. When the mother returned 40 minutes later, she found the baby in her cot and 'whimpering'.
Court proceedings
Prosecuting barrister Shebanee Devadasan told the court that the baby had tears on her face, which was red, and her mother thought she had been screaming. After the redness lessened, the mother saw two bruises on the baby's right cheek, which a friend suggested were bite marks. They also spotted a purple bruise on the baby's left earlobe.
Police were contacted, and an officer noticed further marks on the baby's neck and right arm. A forensic odontologist and dental surgeon concluded that the injury to the right cheek was 'indicative of a definitive human bite mark injury' and would have caused significant pain and discomfort when inflicted.
Pickering was arrested in June 2024. He told police he had not deliberately injured the child, citing medication for previous sleep violence as a possible cause. He refused to provide dental impressions or have his teeth photographed. He later pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Offender | Thomas Pickering |
| Age at offence | 25 |
| Address | Eliza Street, Burnley |
| Sentence | 13 months |
| Plea | Guilty to ABH |
| Arrest date | June 2024 |
| Court | Bradford Crown Court |
| Judge | His Honour Judge Colin Burn |
Impact and sentencing
The judge, His Honour Judge Colin Burn, described the offence as 'particularly shocking' and said the bite mark on the right cheek was inflicted 'with some force'. He noted that the mark on the left ear could not be said with certainty to be a bite mark.
Pickering, of Eliza Street, Burnley, appeared via video link from HMP Leeds after failing to attend court previously. Mitigating, Shannon Woodley said he had accepted responsibility and had taken steps to 'stabilise his circumstances'.
Judge Burn sentenced Pickering to 13 months' imprisonment, stating that the nature of the offence meant an immediate custodial sentence was necessary. He will serve a third of his sentence in prison.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If Pickering serves the standard portion of his sentence, he could be released after about four months, though the exact release date depends on prison service procedures.
The case may have implications for how similar offences are handled, potentially influencing sentencing guidelines for assaults on infants. However, any such impact remains speculative.
The baby's recovery and long-term well-being are not detailed in the court report, and it remains unclear if any further medical or psychological support has been arranged.
Source: thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
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Timeline of events
- 01
Pickering arrested
Arrested after police investigation into the bite injury.
- 02
Sentencing
Jailed for 13 months at Bradford Crown Court.
स्रोत:Source: thetelegraphandargus.co.uk स्रोत-समर्थित
