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'Revulsion' at dead baby injuries 'Revulsion' at dead baby injuries
(30 minutes later)
A 17-month-old boy died after suffering a catalogue of injuries including a broken back which would have left him paralysed, the Old Bailey has heard.A 17-month-old boy died after suffering a catalogue of injuries including a broken back which would have left him paralysed, the Old Bailey has heard.
The injuries included eight fractured ribs, a missing tooth and the tops of his fingers which were also missing.The injuries included eight fractured ribs, a missing tooth and the tops of his fingers which were also missing.
The baby's mother and her boyfriend, who cannot be named, and Jason Owen, 35, of Bromley, south-east London, deny murdering the child.The baby's mother and her boyfriend, who cannot be named, and Jason Owen, 35, of Bromley, south-east London, deny murdering the child.
The court was told the baby died in August 2007, in Haringey, north London.The court was told the baby died in August 2007, in Haringey, north London.
Increasing violenceIncreasing violence
Sally O'Neill QC, prosecuting, told the jury: "Over the last seven or eight months of his short life, he was subjected to a course of assaults of increasing violence.Sally O'Neill QC, prosecuting, told the jury: "Over the last seven or eight months of his short life, he was subjected to a course of assaults of increasing violence.
"The Crown's case against these defendants is that either they themselves inflicted this unlawful force on him or that they participated in a joint enterprise to do so.""The Crown's case against these defendants is that either they themselves inflicted this unlawful force on him or that they participated in a joint enterprise to do so."
The eight fractured ribs were more than a week old, the lesions on his scalp and ears were ulcerated and there was a healing tear to the membrane between his lip and gum, she said.The eight fractured ribs were more than a week old, the lesions on his scalp and ears were ulcerated and there was a healing tear to the membrane between his lip and gum, she said.
The most serious injury had been the broken back.The most serious injury had been the broken back.
Ms O'Neill said: "That particular injury requires an extremely forceful hyperextension of the spine by, for example, forcing a child's back over your bent knee or over a banister rail.Ms O'Neill said: "That particular injury requires an extremely forceful hyperextension of the spine by, for example, forcing a child's back over your bent knee or over a banister rail.
The death of a child in these circumstances is likely to fill any reasonable person with revulsion Sally O'Neill QCThe death of a child in these circumstances is likely to fill any reasonable person with revulsion Sally O'Neill QC
"The effect of that particular assault would have been to cause paralysis from the level of injury down.""The effect of that particular assault would have been to cause paralysis from the level of injury down."
Ms O'Neill added that the death of a child in such circumstances was "likely to fill any reasonable person with revulsion".Ms O'Neill added that the death of a child in such circumstances was "likely to fill any reasonable person with revulsion".
Miss O'Neill said the mother and her boyfriend began a relationship in June 2006 when the baby was three months old. She said the mother and her boyfriend began a relationship in June 2006 when the baby was three months old.
After his birth she had been diagnosed with depression and, because of previous post-natal depression, the family had been placed in the "cause for concern" category by a health visitor, but removed shortly afterwards, Ms O'Neill said. After his birth she had been diagnosed with depression and, because of previous post-natal depression, the family had been placed in the "cause for concern" category by a health visitor, but removed shortly afterwards.
Assault arrestAssault arrest
The court heard the child was taken to see doctors a number times for numerous injuries and the family was referred to the social services in December by a consultant who had treated the child for bruising. The court heard the child was taken to see doctors a number times for numerous injuries and the family was referred to social services in December by a consultant who treated the child for bruising.
On 19 December, the mother and her partner were both arrested for assaulting the baby, and bailed. On 19 December, the mother and her partner were arrested for assaulting the baby, and bailed.
The baby's name was placed on the Haringey Child Protection Register under the categories of neglect and physical abuse, the court heard, and the boy placed with a friend. The baby's name was placed on the Haringey Child Protection Register under the categories of neglect and physical abuse, the court heard, and the boy was then placed with a friend.
Tests into the baby's injuries proved inconclusive and the baby was returned to the mother, although the police investigation continued and there were regular visits from social workers, Miss O'Neill said. Tests on the baby's injuries proved inconclusive and he was returned to the mother, although the police investigation continued and there were regular visits from social workers, Ms O'Neill said.
The case continues.