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Post by Big Lin on Feb 28, 2009 15:22:10 GMT
www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/02/28/judge-angry-after-to-being-forced-to-free-couple-accused-of-child-abuse-115875-21159055/Judge angry after to being forced to free couple accused of child abuse By Jeremy Armstrong 28/02/2009 A judge forced to free a couple accused of child abuse yesterday blasted the law for turning his court into a "charade". Recorder David Hodson launched his attack after a teenage mum and her partner blamed each other for a catalogue of injuries inflicted on her four-month-old twins. The babies suffered multiple bruising, blisters, brain and eye injuries at the hands of Zoe Taylor or her boyfriend Daryl Gray. Advertisement - article continues below » But each blamed the other to escape justice. So, without proof either way, prosecutors had to accept guilty pleas to lesser charges of child neglect. Branding the sentencing exercise a "charade", Judge Hodson told Newcastle crown court: "If we could be sure which one of you inflicted these injuries, or if you both did, you would be going to custody for a number of years. It is deeply unsatisfactory." Taylor, 19, and Gray, 22 - who no longer have care of the babies - got 51-week jail sentences, suspended for two years.
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