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Father pretended to be 'caring and doting' but 'beat' baby | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A "doting" father broke his four-month-old daughter's neck and damaged her spine by shaking her, swinging her by the legs and sitting on her, a court has heard. | A "doting" father broke his four-month-old daughter's neck and damaged her spine by shaking her, swinging her by the legs and sitting on her, a court has heard. |
Swansea Crown Court heard the man, 20, squeezed her, gripped her by the throat and pressed fingers into her eyes. | Swansea Crown Court heard the man, 20, squeezed her, gripped her by the throat and pressed fingers into her eyes. |
He said he was "a monster", but that he was under immense pressure raising the baby, who he had pretended to dote on. | He said he was "a monster", but that he was under immense pressure raising the baby, who he had pretended to dote on. |
He accepts causing injury but denies grievous bodily harm with intent. | He accepts causing injury but denies grievous bodily harm with intent. |
The court heard the baby girl was rushed to hospital in January after she became unresponsive and floppy. | The court heard the baby girl was rushed to hospital in January after she became unresponsive and floppy. |
Scans showed she had fractured vertebrae in her neck and had a spinal cord injury. | Scans showed she had fractured vertebrae in her neck and had a spinal cord injury. |
'Incomprehensible' | 'Incomprehensible' |
The jury heard doctors were concerned her injuries had been caused deliberately and she was transferred to hospital in Cardiff. | The jury heard doctors were concerned her injuries had been caused deliberately and she was transferred to hospital in Cardiff. |
X-rays revealed she had five rib fractures, as well as other older fractures which had started to heal. | X-rays revealed she had five rib fractures, as well as other older fractures which had started to heal. |
Dr Paul Davies, a consultant paediatrician based in Cardiff, told the court there were no medical reasons for the baby's injuries, and in his view, they had been caused by someone using deliberate force. | Dr Paul Davies, a consultant paediatrician based in Cardiff, told the court there were no medical reasons for the baby's injuries, and in his view, they had been caused by someone using deliberate force. |
During police interview the girl's father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denied abusing her. | During police interview the girl's father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denied abusing her. |
But he later admitted he had deliberately tried to hurt the infant. | But he later admitted he had deliberately tried to hurt the infant. |
Catherine Richards, prosecuting, said that in a statement, the father described himself as a Jekyll and Hyde character. | Catherine Richards, prosecuting, said that in a statement, the father described himself as a Jekyll and Hyde character. |
Treated like 'doll' | Treated like 'doll' |
He also said he was "a monster", but said he was under immense pressure raising the child. | He also said he was "a monster", but said he was under immense pressure raising the child. |
Ms Richards said: "To the outside world he portrayed himself as a loving father... a caring and doting dad." | Ms Richards said: "To the outside world he portrayed himself as a loving father... a caring and doting dad." |
"The defendant did things to his daughter that were incomprehensible. | "The defendant did things to his daughter that were incomprehensible. |
"He treated her like a plastic doll, and all of that while putting on a face of loving care," she said. | "He treated her like a plastic doll, and all of that while putting on a face of loving care," she said. |
The girl is now in the care of a local authority. | The girl is now in the care of a local authority. |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |