Shropshire father who swung baby son by his legs spared jail
A baby suffered injuries after his father swung him by his legs, a court heard.
The baby suffered a fracture – and at a later date was also found to have broken an arm.
The parents, who were living in south Shropshire at the time, were arrested after police were alerted by medical staff.
But the pair, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were spared jail after admitting child cruelty.
They appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court for sentence.
The court heard the couple had previously pleaded guilty to assault between December 23, 2014, and May 27, 2015.
The court heard that the baby's father admitted swinging his son by his legs, causing one to fracture.
Mr Recorder Nicholas Syfret said the parents had let the vulnerable baby down and that the child was currently not in their care.
He added: "He should have expected nothing more from his parents but love and protective care. It is to their lasting shame that they did not give that to their child.
"His father admitted swinging his son causing the injury which he then did not seek medical assistance for.
"His partner was not told what had happened but she failed to give help.
"The mother is extremely remorseful of her care for the child and has done a great deal since then to make her a better parent in the future so that she can have her child returned to her."
The father, who is 32, was given four months imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work.
The 29-year-old mother was given a community order for 18 months. Both are liable for a victim surcharge.
