TWO JAILED FOR INFANT ABUSE THAT CAUSED PERMANENT DAMAGE

A man and woman have been sentenced for causing severe harm to a child, leading to permanent damage. The court documented that the child, who was only six months old at the time, suffered multiple fractures including ribs and severe brain injuries that necessitated the implantation of a shunt. Judge John Lodge described the injuries as “catastrophic” and emphasized that the harm inflicted was high, with injuries being permanent and affecting the child's entire life. The court heard that Zoe Parsons, aged 24, residing in St Clare Meadow, Rochford, sobbed in the dock during sentencing and was sentenced to two years in prison. David Farrelly, aged 25, from Edith Road, Clacton, received a four-year sentence with an extended license of 12 months. Both court proceedings revealed that the injuries had caused the child to develop ongoing health and mobility issues, including difficulty in mobility, weakness, susceptibility to infections, and concerns over brain bleeds due to head trauma. The statement from the child's full-time caregiver described the child's ongoing struggles, such as difficulty getting out of bed, weakness in hands, and the need for splints. Medical assessments also highlighted that the child's skull-brain gap was significant, and she suffered from absent seizures with minimal growth in 10 months. Judge Lodge concluded that the injuries deprived the child of a normal childhood and caused lifelong harm, emphasizing that the injuries were inflicted through violence instead of care and protection. The NSPCC commented on the case, condemning the severity of the abuse and advising the public to report concerns regarding child welfare through their helpline.