Inverness engineer jailed after breaking toddler's leg with a spanner
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An infant child had her femur broken by a spanner, wielded by an Inverness plumbing and heating engineer who was looking after her.
Today, 29-year-old Liam Cummings was jailed for three-and-a-half years after being found guilty last month by a jury of assaulting the toddler in the Autumn of 2017.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank told Cummings: "You chose to inflict pain and suffering on a vulnerable child you were supposed to be looking after.
"The offence is one of high culpability as the pain caused was significant and must have been excruciating. No child should have been exposed to that.
"Anyone who does this should expect a custodial sentence."
Sentence had been deferred for a background report with Cummings being assessed at being of minimal risk of re-offending.
Defence counsel Bill Adam said the author "strongly recommended" a non-custodial disposal on the first offender who still maintained his innocence.
But the sheriff dismissed the request: "Notwithstanding the assessment, the facts remain. I am not prepared to adopt that route."
The court heard that the child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had complex health issues and had poor bone health which experts said may have played a contributory role in the fracture.
Fiscal depute Robert Weir told the court: "She was detained in hospital on October 28, 2017 and not discharged until November 17.
"Two types of traction had to be put on and she was prescribed morphine. She has had to learn to use her aids again. Her mother says that there has been an impact on her education, social life and family time because of the number of hospital visits.
"She is waiting for another operation to remove all the metal in her leg."
Mr Adam told Sheriff Cruickshank that his client had a daughter whose birthday was today.
"He has been the subject of a backlash in the community after his conviction and the family may have to relocate," he added.
"Although he still maintains his innocence, he has also expressed regret about the pain and suffering caused."
The mother of the child was in court to hear the sentence and burst into tears when Cummings was jailed.
She was being comforted by accompanying friends and did not speak afterwards.
