Dad jailed for punching 2-year-old daughter; he was "frustrated" with her crying (London, England, United Kingdom)

UNNAMED DAD has been jailed for 9 months for slapping and punching his 2-year-old daughter because she was crying. Hurray for the Brits, who usually treat domestic violence and child abuse cases with "community service" nonsense.

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2009/12/01/11988601-sun.html

Dad jailed for hitting crying tot
SARNIA COURT

By SUN MEDIA

Last Updated: 1st December 2009, 7:33am

SARNIA -- A city man who slapped and punched his two-year-old daughter because she was crying was jailed for nine months yesterday.

The 25-year-old father had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing bodily harm to the child between Feb. 1 and Oct. 30 of this year.

Bruising inflicted by the man was originally rejected as bodily harm by defence lawyer Terry Brandon.

A medical examination found bruises on the girl's arm and thigh consistent with being grabbed, along with multiple facial bruises. A full array of X-rays found no bone fractures.

Justice Mark Hornblower had previously said there is case law that allows bruising to be considered bodily harm.

It is fortunate the injuries were not more serious, said assistant Crown attorney Tim Zuber.

The man confessed to the assaults after police were contacted by his daughter's day care staff after they saw the bruises.

The man said he punched the girl in the chest and forehead and slapping her on Oct. 30, because she was crying when he dressed her.

He also confessed to a prior assault, prompted by his frustration with her behaviour.

The man served the equivalent of 62 days in pre-sentence custody because he refused to seek bail. He said he deserved to be in jail, Brandon said.

She called for a sentence of the time served, noting the man had no prior criminal record.

Zuber said a 12-month sentence would send the needed deterrent message about assault on defenceless children.

Hornblower said the pattern of abuse did not seem out of character and imposed a nine-month sentence is addition to time served, to be followed by two years probation