Amputee baby's parents jailed for 10 years Published duration 19 February 2018

image copyright Kent Police image caption Jody Simpson (left) and Tony Smith have been jailed for 10 years

A man and woman who injured their six-week-old baby boy so badly his legs had to be amputated, have been jailed for 10 years.

Jody Simpson, 24, and Tony Smith, 46, from Whitstable, Kent, had denied assaulting, ill treating or neglecting their child.

They were both given the maximum sentence possible by Judge Philip Statman at Maidstone Crown Court.

Each of the defendants has numerous previous convictions.

image copyright Family handout image caption Baby Tony had to have both his legs removed

Judge Statman said: "Baby Tony suffered eight fractures to the bones in his tiny body, stretching through all parts of his body.

"The force to break the bones of baby Tony would have needed to have been vigorous.... caused by sudden twisting and yanking."

He said he could see "no remorse" in either of them and added: "When eventually you took your baby to the GP at midday it's not exaggeration to say that he was almost at the door of death.

"He has suffered truly life-changing injuries, a missing hip joint, he is deaf in one ear and both his legs have been amputated."

image copyright Family handout image caption Tony Smith Jr's adoptive family say he is now a happy, bubbly boy

He said to Simpson: "You told the jury of your love for Mr Smith, even after these events you remained in a relationship with him.

"You put your relationship with Tony Smith before the care for your baby."

image copyright Family handout image caption Tony Smith (left) and Jody Simpson took their baby son to a GP with "cold-like" symptoms

Smith has 11 previous convictions, including burglary and one offence occasioning actual bodily harm, while Simpson was convicted five times for shoplifting and burglary in 2017.

The court heard they lived together in a tent in Canterbury before moving to a flat in Maidstone.

Tony Smith Jr has now been adopted and is growing up happy, the court heard.