Couple jailed for ‘brutal’ attacks on two children
AMAN and a woman who subjected two young children to ‘brutal’ attacks over a period of four months, leaving one with life-threatening injuries, have been jailed.
Chelsea Gray and Scott Harrison were jailed for a total of 12 and a half years after being convicted of child cruelty offences following trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
The 26-year-old and 29-year-old, who were in a relationship, had abused the children on a number of different occasions between January and April of last year.
The court heard that both children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were admitted to hospital in April last year, where it became apparent they had been the subject of serious physical harm.
Doctors examined one of the children, who suffered 40 injuries across their body which they say occurred on a minimum of three occasions.
Medical professionals identified the child as being the victim of a ‘brutal’ and ‘sustained’ attack, with some of the injuries regarded as life-threatening.
Throughout the trial, the jury heard that one child received a ‘kick’ or ‘punch’ so hard it resulted in their pancreas rupturing and a potentially deadly infection.
The jury also heard evidence that the child had been dragged by the hair across a hard surface and were shown pictures of a neck injury consistent with throttling.
The second child received a total of 68 injuries, primarily consisting of bruises caused by blunt force trauma, according to medical professionals.
Throughout the trial, Harrison, who maintained his innocence throughout, claimed that the injuries caused to the first child were caused by resuscitation attempts after they had fallen into unconsciousness.
Following Harrison’s arrest at his home in Rochdale, his house was searched, during which police uncovered cannabis which was being grown on a ‘commercial’ scale. A black stun gun with two metal prongs was also found in his possession.
The court heard that Harrison has a number of previous convictions for offences of battery, possession of a weapon and permitting premises to be used for the supply of a class A drug.
Gray, of Heywood, has no previous convictions recorded against her.
Judge John Potter condemned their actions, calling their offences an ‘appalling episode of violence towards defenceless young children,’ as he sentenced them to immediate custodial sentences.
Gray was sentenced to a total of three and a half years for two offences of causing or inflicting serious injury to a child.
Harrison was sentenced to eight years for inflicting serious injury to a child and 12 months for the drug and weapon offences.