GRIMSBY AND ULCEBY COUPLE GEMMA WARNE AND LEE CHAMBERS JAILED FOR NEGLECTING BABY WITH FRACTURED ARM

In a distressing case that has shocked the communities of Grimsby and Ulceby, a young mother and her partner have been sentenced to prison for their gross neglect of a five-month-old infant. Gemma Warne, aged 29, formerly residing in Grimsby, and Lee Chambers, aged 37, of Ulceby, were found guilty of failing to seek urgent medical attention for their child, who suffered a fractured arm, leading to significant suffering over a period of three days.

The incident dates back to August 14, 2015, when the couple was advised by a doctor to take the baby immediately to the accident and emergency department at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital. However, they later claimed that they did not hear or understand the instructions given by the medical professional. Instead of acting promptly, Warne and Chambers waited, believing the injury was not serious, despite the child's crying and discomfort when touched or moved.

It was only on the late afternoon of August 17, 2015, after the baby’s arm was observed to be hanging and swollen, that the couple finally took him to the hospital. The delay in seeking treatment resulted in the baby enduring more than three days of intense pain, swelling, and distress. Medical examinations revealed that the injury was caused by an accidental fall or mishandling when Warne was bending down while carrying the child.

The court heard that both Warne and Chambers initially denied being told to go to the hospital, claiming they were only instructed to monitor the child's condition. Prosecutor Craig Lowe told Grimsby Crown Court that Warne stated she was told to monitor the arm, noting that over the weekend, there was no change, but by Monday morning, she observed swelling and puffiness in the child's fingers. Chambers echoed this, claiming he was also told to monitor the injury and believed the child was fine until he noticed the arm hanging on August 17.

Judge Mark Bury condemned their actions, emphasizing the severity of the neglect. He pointed out that the child's obvious pain, swelling, and reluctance to be touched or picked up were clear signs of a serious injury that required immediate medical intervention. The judge stated that the couple's explanations were inadequate and that their failure to act promptly was unforgivable, especially given the clear advice from the doctor that urgent hospital treatment was necessary.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Bury highlighted the vulnerability of the young child and the devastating impact of the couple’s neglect. He described their behavior as 'unforgivable' and underscored that the child's health and well-being had been severely compromised due to their inaction. Both Warne and Chambers were sentenced to four months in prison for their failure to provide the necessary care, a punishment that reflects the gravity of their misconduct.

The baby, who suffered a fractured arm as a result of the incident, is now in long-term foster care, away from the neglectful environment. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of attentive and responsible parenting, especially when it comes to the health and safety of vulnerable infants. The community and legal authorities hope that this case will reinforce the critical need for prompt medical attention in cases of injury to children, and the severe consequences of neglecting such responsibilities.