‘Cruelty’ pair back in court

0 Comments | Sentinel, The; Stoke-on-Trent (UK), Jul 27, 2010

THE case of a couple charged with child cruelty was due to continue today.

The case centres around a 22-month-old toddler who was left with seven fractured bones, burns and a battered face after allegedly suffering weeks of physical abuse.

The child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also suffered two black eyes, bruising to the face, and a tear inside the upper lip, Chester Crown Court has heard.

Mother-of-three Stacey Bride, aged 24, and her boyfriend Michael Quilty, aged 26, have gone on trial charged with cruelty by assaulting a child and perverting the course of justice.

The pair, of Warrington Avenue, Crewe, have previously admitted neglect.

The court has heard Bride and Quilty, who has two children from a previous relationship, told medics Bride’s three-year-old daughter Jessica was responsible for the injuries.

Today the jury in the trial was due to hear the couple’s defence.