Aberdeen man avoids jail after assaulting newborn baby
19 year old Mark Riley was sentenced earlier today.
An Aberdeen man has avoided jail after assaulting a newborn baby.
19 year old Mark Riley repeatedly seized the child, who was only weeks old at the time, by the legs and lifted the youngster up.
This caused the child's head and body to dangle unsupported.
And on another occasion he twisted the baby's leg to the tot's severe injury.
Riley appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court today (23rd September) for sentencing.
He previously admitted acting in a culpable and reckless manner with "total disregard for the circumstances" as well as assault to severe injury.
The court heard the offences happened in September 2015 at an address in the city.
Sheriff Graeme Napier described Riley's behaviour on the two occasions as "frankly appalling".
But the sheriff added that he had appeared genuinely remorseful when speaking to social workers about the incidents involving the child, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
The sheriff said: "What you did was wrong. Many people would describe it as wicked.
"Be very clear that what I am about to do is a direct alternative to custody."
Riley, from Aberdeen, was placed on a community payback order.
He will be under supervision for the next 18 months.
He also has to carry out 200 hours unpaid work in the community within nine months.