Advertisement

Woman who 'resented being a mum' left out bleach with a straw in for toddler to drink

Leeds, England - January 18, 2018: man walking past the entrance to leeds combined magistrates and crown court building
A judge at Leeds Crown Court imposed a non-custodial sentence on the woman on Thursday. (Getty images)

A woman who "resented being a mum" left out a bottle of bleach with a straw in it - hoping her toddler would drink it, a court heard.

The woman, in her 20s, also inflicted a number of injuries on the three-year-old boy.

She was spared prison this week when a judge imposed a non-custodial sentence so she can be supported for a recently diagnosed personality disorder.

Hospital staff and social workers found 80 bruises on the child's head and body.

The mother, who can not be named in order to protect the boy's identity, initially tried to blame her partner for the injuries.

She later went on to admit her actions - which included leaving a bottle of bleach out with a straw in it for the child to drink.

She also told police officers how she had opened a window and left out some ladders in the hope the infant would climb out.

Leeds Crown Court heard details of the abuse as the woman was sentenced on Thursday.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of child cruelty.

The court was told how the offending came to light when the mother took her son to the home of her boyfriend's mother.

The older woman challenged the defendant about the injuries but was told he had fallen and she was guilty of "nothing but not watching him."

However, the boyfriend's mother contacted social services and social workers saw the child the next day.

They were shocked by the boy's condition and said they "had never seen anything so bad", the court heard.

The boy was taken to A&E before being placed in child protection.

Read more: Grieving father berates judge after speeding driver who killed his daughter avoids jail

Read More: Woman confronts fly-tippers dumping debris then takes their trailer keys

Doctors examined the child and found extensive bruising on his arms, legs and head. There was also bleeding to his retina.

The child has since been placed in a "secure safe environment" and is doing well, the court heard.

Despite initially trying to blame her boyfriend for the abuse, the woman later accepted neglecting the child over a four-month period.

Traffic warden uniform - close up
Police were alerted to the case by the mother of the woman's partner when she saw injuries on the child (Getty images)

Read more: Murder investigation after man in 40s 'run over in M&S car park'

She went on to admit she had not fed her son properly, saying she resented being a mum and did not want the child in her life.

She said she "hated being a mother" and having to put him before anyone else.

Craig Sutcliffe, mitigating, said his client was ashamed of herself and has been diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder.

Judge Penelope Belcher said she was imposing a non-custodial sentence so the defendant can work with the probation service and receive support for her personality disorder.

She said: "This would not be available for a short custodial sentence and the work would not be done. That is why it is in the public interest."

Judge Belcher told the woman: "If you had another child social services would be all over this and you might find that the child would be removed."

As well as a suspended sentence the woman was ordered to complete 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and handed a six-month curfew order.

Watch: Hijab-wearing firefighter feels proud 'to have broken down a barrier