A dad who kicked his four-year-old son while drunk before punching his sister so hard it caused a skull fracture has been given a chance of rehabilitation.
The man, in his 40s, was next to a river in Kendal with his partner and other family members on July 12 last year.
A number of children, including his four-year-old son, were also present. The man drank heavily during the day without any problems initially occurring.
As they walked home, others began to sense the mood darkening.
As words were exchanged between the man and his sister, he became more angry and was shouting.
This caused his son to become distressed, prompting the man to kick his son in the back — as he sat on the floor — causing bruising.
His sister remonstrated with him, Carlisle Crown Court heard. As she turned her back, the man punched her to the side of her head, leaving her unconscious for several seconds and bleeding.
After the man was ordered out of the house, his sister was initially taken to hospital in Kendal, before being transferred to Lancaster for treatment and kept in for 48 hours.
She had suffered a basilar skull fracture involving the right ear canal. Problems in the aftermath were made worse by an existing and serious deficit in her other ear.
When brought to court the man — who cannot be named to protect his son’s identify — admitted charges of child cruelty and causing grievous bodily harm.
During a sentencing hearing today, a defence barrister said it was a day of shame that would live with the man for a long time.
He was remorseful and committed to addressing personal issues with help from professionals.
Judge Nicholas Barker concluded that the man had acted in a drunken rage while wild in drink.
The judge agreed with Mr Rogerson that the man was capable of rehabilitation in the community.
A 20-month prison sentence was suspended for two years.
The man, who has an address outside of Cumbria, must complete an intensive rehabilitation requirement to address relationship skills, and a 120-day alcohol ban, which will be monitored by an electronic tag.
