JAIL FOR DAD WHO ASSAULTED HIS OWN CHILD
The extent of Dwayne Gordon’s brutality was revealed when a 17-month-old child, whose identity remains undisclosed, was brought to the John Radcliffe Hospital in January 2019 with facial injuries.During his trial in May, Dr Janet Craze, an A&E physician who examined the young patient, stated that a slap mark on the child's face was a familiar injury often seen by paediatricians, highlighting the severity of the abuse.
The child exhibited a considerable red mark around his mouth, which Gordon claimed resulted from the boy biting his beaker.
At the time, Gordon was babysitting the boy at his mother’s residence in Oxford while she was out for the evening with a friend.
That evening, he sent a message to the woman, mentioning that the child's face was badly injured.
Further medical investigations, prompted by concerns over the facial and neck injuries, involved comprehensive testing, including X-rays.
These revealed that the child had previously fractured bones near both wrists within the past few weeks.
Records from the child's nursery documented more than six instances involving injuries.
An observer at Soccer Tots, a sports program the child attended, reported that he arrived in December 2018 with substantial bruising and bloodshot eyes.
Gordon, aged 34, initially denied multiple charges such as causing grievous bodily harm and child cruelty.
However, he pleaded guilty on the sixth day of his trial to causing actual bodily harm and child cruelty charges.
The court was informed that the child's mother, Katie Lake, aged 30, had communicated her concerns about the injuries through messages to Gordon, who lives in Northampton.
Nonetheless, her warnings were dismissed by him.
Lake appeared in court alongside the child's father, whom she accused of neglect, alleging he had intentionally subjected the boy to harm following a brief affair that resulted in the child's birth.
The father was also reportedly involved with another woman at the time.
Her solicitor, Clare Evans, stated that Lake attempted to question Gordon about the injuries and had sent him images, but he responded dismissively, insisting he had not harmed the child.
Ms Evans described Gordon’s treatment of her client as 'appallingly'.
She added that he had demanded complete obedience from her.
Defense attorney James Gray outlined various factors that might explain Gordon’s conduct, including his heavy cannabis use, diabetes causing blood sugar levels to fluctuate, and his relationships with the mothers of his children.
He also mentioned that Gordon had a new partner and child, which provided stability.
Gordon, from Kingsland Gardens in Northampton, received a 40-month prison sentence handed down by Judge Ian Pringle QC.
He was previously convicted of aggravated burglary and wounding.
Katie Lake, from Thames View, Abingdon, was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for two years, with a requirement to complete up to 20 probation sessions.
