Man escapes prison for violent attack on five-month-old baby

A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to 150 hours community service for assaulting a five-month-old baby boy, despite prosecutors describing his actions as “violent, cowardly and inexcusable” and calling for full time imprisonment.

Mount Druitt Local Court heard “frustration unfortunately got the better” of the man during an argument with a woman at a Hebersham home in June.

At the time of the disagreement, the victim was seated in a baby swing but was not strapped in.

The man lashed out, kicking the baby swing which caused the victim to fall out and hit his head on the tiles.

The infant started vomiting and crying, with spots of blood in his vomit.

A CareFlight team was called in, but the baby was transferred to hospital by ambulance after his injuries were found to be superficial cuts and bruises.

The man fled, kicking a living room table over, causing glass to smash. He was later arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

While the Magistrate said the incident “could have been a real catastrophe”, he noted the man pleaded guilty straight away and the baby boy will have no permanent or ongoing injuries.