A CATALOGUE of sustained and horrific abuse ended when a Doncaster dad killed his 16-month-old baby daughter by snapping her back in two, a court heard.
Little Amy Howson suffered more than 40 injuries including at least seven other fractures, some of which were up to two-months-old, before James Howson allegedly killed her.
A jury at Leeds Crown Court heard Howson, 25, who denies murder and two counts of child cruelty, twisted or pulled Amy's legs and arms and struck her - causing the devastating injuries. She was severely malnourished and dehydrated.
The tragic tot's mum Tina Hunt, 26, has admitted allowing the death of a child and child cruelty after failing to take reasonable steps to protect Amy and did not seek medical attention for her.
Gary Burrell QC, prosecuting, said Amy lived with her parents on Nelson Road in Edlington, Doncaster, where she was found unconscious on December 23 last year.
Mr Burrell said Amy was killed by her father "snapping her back in two at waist level".
He said Howson probably put her over his knee face up and used "extreme force" to bend her body and break her back.
A pathologist said Amy died from "complete fracture dislocation and an injury consistent with a direct blow to the head".
In addition to the shocking blows she had fractures and bruising dating back between four and eight weeks.
Mr Burrell said: "The baby would have been in significant pain over these weeks and unable to move without severe discomfort."
The court heard Howson was looking after Amy because Hunt, who was 12 weeks' pregnant with Howson's child, was suffering morning sickness.
Mr Burrell said Colin Hunt, Tina Hunt's father - who looks after her nine-year-old son - was alerted by his daughter on the morning of Amy's death and called an ambulance.
When police arrived just after 10am Howson said Amy had fallen out of bed and banged her head. She died later that morning.
Mr Burrell said: "She was also extremely under-nourished and dehydrated and there was evidence of deprivation of food and water."
Amy had three fractures to her left leg, two to her right arm, one to her left arm and a broken rib, plus bruising and abrasions on her head, back, chest and legs.
He said some of the breaks were consistent with "forceful twisting", while the bruising would have been caused by punching or slapping.
"The prosecution say it is inconceivable anyone looking after this child would not have been aware she was in extreme distress and any reasonable person would have obtained medical assistance for her."
The trial continues.
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