2003: PAIR JAILED FOR CRUELTY TO BABY
A couple has been sentenced to prison after a baby girl was found with burns and bruises that went untreated for four days.The girl had burns on her buttocks, legs, and the soles of her feet.
Despite her injuries, Stephen O'Flynn and Juliet Robinson, both aged 20, did not take her to see a doctor in the days following the injuries.
Robinson was observed to cry and shake as she was sentenced to 60 days detention.
O'Flynn, who has a history of violence and was previously addicted to drugs, received a sentence of 75 days.
Prosecutor Michael Burrows indicated that a doctor testified that other burns on the child appeared consistent with repeated contact with a hot, rod-like object, which was not found.
Additionally, the doctor determined that some bruising was caused by a belt or buckle, as reported to Worcester Crown Court.
O'Flynn claimed that the 19-month-old girl was burned when she fell and became trapped between a chair and a faulty radiator at his residence on Britannia Road.
He denied intentionally causing the injuries.
Juliet Robinson attempted to treat the burns herself, but when they believed the child was nearing a coma four days later, she was rushed to hospital, according to Mr.
Burrows.
Currently residing on Skyrrold Road in Malvern, O'Flynn, and formerly living on Chedworth Drive in Worcester, both pleaded guilty to child cruelty by neglecting to seek medical care for the girl.
Judge David Matthews remarked that some of the injuries were not accidental, and noted that both individuals lied repeatedly to investigators about when the injuries occurred.
Police had to forcibly open the door to their flat as they refused to answer while lying in bed.
The judge criticized their failure to seek emergency medical assistance promptly, emphasizing the injuries clearly required medical attention.
Mr.
Burrows added that the burns occurred in November 2001.
O'Flynn admitted to police that he had hit the child, while Robinson was sentenced to 60 days detention.
