A Leicestershire mother who kicked her 19-month-old son in the face because he would not stop screaming has been spared a prison sentence.

Donna Smallbones, 21, of Rupert Road, Market Harborough, had pleaded guilty to assault at an earlier hearing.

She kicked Mikey, leaving trainer marks on his forehead, while he was sitting in a pushchair at a friend's house where she was drinking on 16 December.

Town magistrates handed her an 18-month community order with supervision.

'Glancing blow'

Smallbones' friends were so shocked they called the police and paramedics, Market Harborough Magistrates' Court was told.

Prosecutor Louise Cox said: "They found four parallel dirty marks on the baby's forehead.

"They appear to have been caused by a glancing blow from a shoe."

She said a medical examination was carried out on Mikey and no injuries were found.

When Smallbones was arrested and questioned she originally denied what happened but later admitted kicking out at her son twice.

Learning difficulties

The court heard that the 21-year-old admitted her actions were reckless.

Magistrates at a previous hearing suggested Smallbones, who has learning difficulties, could face a jail sentence.

Defence lawyer Prakash Morar told the court: "She has admitted her part and her role.

"No injury was caused, yes contact was made, we have pleaded guilty on the basis that she kicked out twice."

He added there had been no instances of Smallbones hurting her son in the past, and it was not feared she would do so again.

The toddler is currently on the child protection register and is in the care of Smallbones' parents.