Baby burnt by bottle of boiling milk

A Watford man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was given a 16 week jail sentence suspended for two years after hitting his six month old baby girl with a bottle of boiling milk. The baby girl was left with burn marks after the man was angry with the baby’s mother when he threw the bottle at the wall. It bounced off and struck the girl causing burns, St Albans Crown Court heard on June 18. Prosecutor Clare Evans said the 35 year old man was angry that he had been left to babysit five children, but she said: “It was reckless. There is no suggestion he intended to throw it at the child.” Although photographs taken at the time were “not pleasant” she said medical staff expected there to be little or no scarring, said Ms Evans. She said the three year relationship with the child’s mother was at an end. She no longer has custody of her children and he sees his child, who is in foster care, through social services. The father pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm on December 4 last year. He made full admissions to the police and was of previous good character. Thomas Daniel, defending, said he hoped to gain custody of his daughter. He said he was a man of good character and handed the judge references from friends and relatives. At present he is on Job Seekers’ Allowance, but is due to start work very soon, said Mr Daniel. Judge Andrew Bright QC said: “This was a very unfortunate and serious matter. It caused burns to a young and vulnerable child. It was unforgivably reckless.” The judge also ordered the man to carry out 80 hours’ unpaid work and banned him from contacting the mother, going to her address in Watford or having unsupervised contact with his daughter. He must also pay £450 prosecution costs.