SOUTH SHIELDS WOMAN DANIELLE HOLMSTROM SPARED JAIL AFTER BRUTAL BABY ATTACK

In August 2005, a disturbing case emerged from South Shields involving a young woman named Danielle Holmstrom, who was accused of inflicting severe injuries on a six-month-old baby in her care. The incident, which shocked the local community and drew significant attention from law enforcement and the courts, revealed a pattern of violent behavior that culminated in Holmstrom biting the infant and throwing him onto a bed with such force that he sustained multiple injuries.

According to the court proceedings, Holmstrom, aged 24 at the time, was found to have bitten the child's abdomen so fiercely that she nearly drew blood. The bite mark was described as very red, almost broken skin, indicating it was a recent injury. Additionally, the child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffered serious bruising across his chest, belly, chin, and ear after Holmstrom reportedly threw him onto a bed in a fit of temper. The force used was described as elastic-like, causing significant trauma to the child's small body.

The abuse was uncovered when two friends of Holmstrom decided to visit her at midnight on January 5. Upon arrival, they found the child upstairs, crying loudly. One of the visitors went upstairs to investigate and spent about an hour with the distressed infant before bringing him downstairs. The child was dressed in a thin babygrow and appeared very upset. The visiting friend noticed a prominent bite mark near the child's belly button, which was so recent that the skin was almost broken and extremely red. The friends also observed a fingernail puncture wound on the child's left calf.

Witnesses reported that Holmstrom had been in a violent temper with the child, throwing him onto the bed as if his arms were made of elastic. The room was found to be cluttered with empty beer cans, suggesting a possible influence of alcohol at the time. Holmstrom remained upstairs while her friends attempted to comfort the injured child. When she eventually came downstairs, she was described as extremely upset. The child's great aunt was contacted after one of the friends relayed the incident, and she took the boy to hospital the following day. Medical examinations confirmed the injuries, which included the bite and bruising.

Holmstrom initially told police that her bite on the child was