Father jailed for toddler assault

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A father who head butted his toddler son and twice hurled him against a wall has been jailed for three years.

Howard Irving, 31, of Amlwch, Anglesey, fractured his 18-month-old son's skull in the attack. He pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

The judge at Caernarfon Crown Court demanded the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) explain why Irving did not face a more serious charge.

A CPS lawyer in court said he would not attempt to defend the decision.

Judge Merfyn Hughes said the assault by Irving had left a several centimetres-deep dent in the wall and should have been considered grievous bodily harm.

The present medical prognosis can't rule out the risk that child will suffer post-traumatic epilepsy Judge Merfyn Hughes

But before the result of a brain scan was known, CPS Direct - an out-of-hours service - had advised the police by phone to put a "holding charge", the court heard.

Irving was then allowed to plead guilty to causing actual bodily harm - which carries a five-year maximum jail term - when he appeared before magistrates and was committed for sentencing.

Judge Hughes said Irving had been drinking before the attack.

When his son was unsettled and their heads clashed accidentally, he lost his temper.

His partner was at work at the time.

The judge said: "The present medical prognosis can't rule out the risk that child will suffer post-traumatic epilepsy."

A 20-week suspended sentence previously imposed on Irving for wounding after he bit another man was activated consecutively.