Bradford mum jailed after failing to get medical help for toddler

The mum, who is not being named to protect the identities of her two young girls, was said to have been in a “controlling and violent” relationship with her co-defendant at the time of the offending back in 2021.

Bradford Crown Court heard that the male defendant was believed to have flown out of the country and investigations were ongoing to trace him and apply for his extradition back to this country.

Prosecutor Rebecca Randall said both defendants had exposed the two children to their drug use in the home and there was little food at the property in Bradford when a social worker made an unannounced visit.

The court heard that the toddler’s clothing was dirty and the social worker offered to get food from a food bank.

When she returned the next day it was discovered that the family had moved to another address in Bradford and when social workers went there they could hear the two children crying inside the flat.

Miss Randall said there was evidence of drug use in flat and the toddler had a fresh mark on her lip.

She said the other young child was described as “very grubby” and neither youngster appeared to have a warm coat or appropriate footwear for the time of year.

The mum, aged in her 20s, and her then partner were both arrested and the two children were examined at hospital.

Miss Randall said both children had “severe nappy rash” and X-rays later revealed that the toddler had suffered multiple rib fractures and a rare fracture to her left shoulder blade.

The mum, who admitted a child cruelty offence on the basis she had not sought medical attention for her daughter, told police that she had fallen down stairs while holding the child and also suggested that the youngster’s sister had accidentally pulled a television onto the girl.

The defendant also admitted a further cruelty allegation relating to exposing both children to drug use in the home.

While she was on bail for the cruelty offences the mum was caught shoplifting at a store in Batley earlier this year and when her bag was searched officers found a scalpel.

She admitted offences of theft and possession of a bladed article in relation to that incident.

Today Recorder Simon Kealey KC jailed the mum for three years on the cruelty matters and added a further four months for the possession of the bladed article.

He said the couple had both been present when the toddler sustained her injuries and they had failed to seek medical attention for her.

The judge said the mum had failed in her duty as a parent notwithstanding the obvious pain and suffering.

He said she had also failed in her duty by exposing both children to the unlawful drug use of herself and her partner.

The court heard that both children had now been adopted.

The judge accepted that there had been a degree of “control and violence” in the couple’s relationship, but he added:”The overall offending is in my view so serious that only immediate custody in the circumstances can be justified.”

Barrister Timothy Jacobs, for the mum, submitted that her co-accused had been the “prime mover” in the offending.

He said his client was now drug-free and submitted that having the children put up for adoption had already been some measure of punishment in itself.

“As the mother of these two children (she) should have done better and she will have to live with her failings in that regard,” said Mr Jacobs.