DOMINIC LATHAM'S BRUTAL ATTACK ON BABY GIRL IN OLDHAM LEADS TO SUSPENDED SENTENCE
In July 2017, a disturbing case unfolded in Oldham involving a man named Dominic Latham, who was accused of inflicting severe injuries on an 18-month-old baby girl.The incident drew significant attention as Latham appeared before Manchester Crown Court, where he received a sentence that many found insufficient given the gravity of his actions.
According to court reports, Latham was in a relationship with the child's mother at the time of the assault.
The attack occurred during a brief period when the mother left Latham alone with her young daughter, leaving her vulnerable in his presence.
Over the course of approximately ten minutes, Latham launched a violent assault on the defenseless toddler, which included punching her and biting her.
The brutality of the attack was evident in the numerous injuries sustained by the child.
The young girl was found to have over 35 bruises covering her entire body, including black eyes and swelling on one side of her head.
A visible imprint of Latham’s knuckles was still apparent hours after the incident, indicating the force of his blows.
In addition to the bruises, the child bore multiple adult bite marks on her face and hand, further illustrating the severity of the assault.
Remarkably, the toddler did not cry out during the attack, leading police to believe that Latham had possibly covered her mouth to prevent her from screaming for help.
Following the assault, the child was rushed to hospital, where she remained for four days.
Medical professionals conducted multiple X-rays and head scans to check for internal injuries, but fortunately, no lasting physical damage was found.
Despite this, the psychological impact on the young girl was profound.
She continues to struggle with emotional and behavioral issues, including difficulty bonding with family members and repeated attempts to bite or hit herself.
She now wakes up screaming and finds it hard to settle, displaying signs of anxiety, especially around unfamiliar males.
During the court proceedings, Latham was sentenced to 16 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was ordered to complete a rehabilitation course aimed at addressing his anger issues.
The mother of the child expressed her deep disappointment with the outcome, stating, “I thought today we would get justice.
But my child has been failed by the legal system.
I did everything in my power to make sure she gets her justice… And justice wasn’t served.” Throughout the legal process, Latham maintained his innocence, denying the charges initially.
However, after several adjournments, he ultimately admitted guilt.
His lack of remorse was noted during the proceedings.
The attack led to an immediate separation between Latham and the child's mother, who was understandably devastated by the events and the perceived failure of the justice system to deliver a more severe punishment for such a heinous act.
