March: Pair Jailed for Child Cruelty

15 August 2013, 08:48 | Updated: 15 August 2013, 12:05

The parents of a five week-old boy from March have been jailed for child cruelty.

Alistair Nicholls (pictured) and Rebecca Flatley were both sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday (August 9). 

The baby was found to have a number of injuries when he was taken to Peterborough City Hospital for treatment to a fresh fracture on March 18, last year.

Experts at the hospital discovered fractures to his leg and ankle which, they said, had been caused up to two weeks prior to the arm fracture he had been admitted for. 

Nicholls, 25, of Yarrow Close, March, was charged with three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and neglect. 

He denied those charges but admitted causing the injuries under a child cruelty charge. 

Flatley, 23, of The Junction, March, admitted child cruelty in that she had failed to seek medical attention for her child. Nicholls was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Peterborough Crown Court. Flatley was sentenced to nine months. 

Detective Constable Amanda Sylvester, who investigated, said: "This was a distressing case as the baby was let down by the two people who should have been protecting him. 

His father caused these terrible injuries after losing control of his temper then failed to take him to hospital for treatment. 

We will not tolerate abuse against children and will work tirelessly to ensure justice for such vulnerable victims."