A man has admitted fracturing a 14-week-old baby’s femur, clavicle and rib while playing “airplanes” with the boy in Angus.
32-year-old Richard Kennedy appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court to admit culpably and recklessly mishandling the baby on January 3 in 2021, causing the youngster “severe” injuries.
The tot, who has now fully recovered, cannot be named for legal reasons.
While the baby’s mother was doing yoga in another room, Kennedy threw him in the air while playing “airplanes”, the court was told.
The baby fell and later had to attend a minor injuries unit and then Ninewells Hospital.
Sheriff Paul Brown deferred sentencing and ordered reports.
Fractured leg and chest bones
Fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie told the court that on the day of the incident, the baby’s mother had brought Kennedy a cup of tea and left him to feed the baby while she went to do yoga in another room.
Around half an hour later, she heard the tot crying and came through to investigate.
Kennedy told her he had been burping the baby but then said he had been playing.
The baby’s mother noticed her son, who was four and a half months old, could not put weight on his leg.
A phone call was made to NHS 24 and the baby’s mother was told to take the boy to a minor injuries unit.
There, it was found he had a swollen right thigh and suspected fractured femur.
The baby later attended at Ninewells in Dundee and was admitted to paediatrics.
A CT scan was carried out but this showed nothing untoward.
Shortly afterwards, the fracture to his right femur was confirmed.
Later that month, a radiologist confirmed the baby had a fracture to his rib and clavicle.
This was confirmed as being caused at the same time.
Ms Ritchie confirmed the baby’s mother hired a private osteopath and the baby has now fully recovered.
Domestic abuse
As well as culpably and recklessly injuring the infant, Kennedy also admitted a campaign of domestic abuse towards a former partner.
Over ten months, from 2020, he engaged in abusive behaviour at properties in Kirriemuir, Friockheim and elsewhere.
Kennedy repeatedly contacted the woman by text and telephone and refused to allow her private phone calls with her friends.
He accused her of having an affair, shouted at her and refused to allow her access to friends who were trying to meet with her.
One one occasion, he also left her in a state of alarm when he punched and broke a TV.
Kennedy, of Salamander Place in Leith, Edinburgh, will be sentenced on July 12.
The first offender’s solicitor opted to reserve mitigation until after reports have been prepared.
His bail was continued.
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