No jail for pair who hurt twins

THE parents convicted of being accessories to the attempted murder and assault of their 2-month-old twins, which resulted in the little boy suffering permanent brain damage, were spared a jail sentence by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria yesterday.

Acknowledging that what had happened to the babies was horrific, Judge Eben Jordaan said a jail sentence would serve no purpose as sending them to jail would leave the children destitute. The two will be subjected to house arrest and community service.

The 28-year-old father from Rayton is financially contributing to the care of the twins while the 26-year-old mother, who is living with her parents, is taking care of the children. She is the primary caregiver of the boy, now aged 5.

While his sister was also severely assaulted in 2012 by the couple, she did not suffer any lasting physical effects.

The names of the parents cannot be made public to protect the identity of their children.

The boy was left severely disabled after he suffered a cracked skull and bleeding on the brain. He cannot walk, talk, see or chew. His mother takes care of him around the clock.

The children were assaulted around December 2012, while the then couple visited the man’s parents in Rayton, east of Pretoria.

The boy, only identified as Baby J, suffered severe brain damage and doctors who examined him on Christmas morning 2012 said it was clear the damage was due to severe blunt force trauma to the head.

His sister suffered several broken ribs. According to medical evidence, severe force had to be applied to her to break her ribs, as a baby’s ribs were flexible.

The parents, who claimed they had no idea how their twins got injured, earlier stormed out of court after their conviction. They are now separated and sat far apart in the dock, not speaking.

While standing trial, the mother received permission from the Children’s Court to care for her twins, together with her parents.

Judge Jordaan said he understood the case called for a jail sentence, but the best interests of the children had to be considered. He sentenced the pair to five years imprisonment, suspended for five years, as well as to three years correctional supervision.