ABERDEEN MAN SENTENCED AFTER CHILD SUFFERS CIGARETTE BURN

A mother has expressed outrage after her young child suffered a cigarette burn while in the care of Christopher Wrench, who was subsequently convicted of child neglect at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. The 36-year-old was responsible for the child's care when the injury occurred, which was a small, circular wound on the child’s cheek. The injury was noticed by someone else and taken to hospital, with a paediatric consultant confirming it was consistent with an 'end on' cigarette burn. Wrench denied causing the injury and claimed it might have been a spot the child picked at, but these explanations were rejected by Sheriff Mungo Bovey. Wrench was found guilty, with the sheriff emphasizing that Wrench's denial and the injury's nature indicated a wilful exposure to risk. Wrench was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work and an 18-month supervision order. The mother branded the sentence 'disgraceful,' stating she felt sick and horrified upon learning of her child's injury, adding that Wrench showed 'no remorse' and 'didn't seem to care.' During the trial, Wrench acknowledged he was a smoker but insisted he never smoked around children and suggested the injury could have been an unrelated spot. The court made it clear to Wrench that the injury resulted from his neglect. The case has garnered significant local attention and condemnation from the child’s mother, who feels the punishment was insufficient and does not serve as a deterrent.