'Heartbreaking': Man jailed in Sheffield after child is beaten with 'as much force as one can imagine'
A man has been jailed for child neglect after a youngster was beaten with ‘as much force as one can imagine’.
Michael Leeson, aged 35 and Gemma Lister, 37, were arrested in March 2018 after nursery staff noticed severe bruising on a three-year-old child.
Police officers launched an investigation, which revealed the young child had been beaten more than once over a number of weeks.
The child was taken to hospital and a paediatric consultant described the injuries as being ‘inflicted with as much force as one can imagine’.
Leeson, of no fixed abode but formerly from the Doncaster area, was jailed for two years and four months after admitting child neglect offences during a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court.
Lister, from Doncaster, also admitted child neglect offences and was sentenced to a two-year community order.
Detective Inspector Simon Leake, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “This was a heartbreaking case in which the young child was not able to articulate what happened to them, so we did all we could to ensure their voice was still heard.
“I would like to commend the hard work of our partners in health, social care and education, who worked tirelessly to assist our investigation.
“Protecting the most vulnerable in our society remains a force priority, and we will continue to do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.”
Anyone who suspects a child may be in danger should call 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Information can also be passed on, anonymously, by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
