A mother was jailed yesterday for child cruelty after her 13-month-old son's charred body was found strapped in his buggy in front of a fire.

Tracey Sutherland (39) confessed to neglecting her son, Alexander, who was found by police with charring to his body, soiled clothing stuck to him and apparent bruising to the body and forehead.

Manchester Crown Court heard that Sutherland had dialled 999, telling the call handler she was alone, and had a dead baby at her house.

The child had extensive nappy rash with faeces and urine on his body when he was found by officers at the family home in Baguley, Manchester, on November 10 last year — which was his mother's birthday.

But a pathologist's report said no direct link could be found between the mother's neglect and the tot's death.

The family was known to social services, who were criticised by Judge Clement Goldstone QC for their “startling lack of urgency” in dealing with the risk to Alexander.

Sutherland pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to child cruelty by neglect between October 29 and November 10 last year.

She displayed no reaction as she was jailed for 27 months by Judge Goldstone.

Belfast Telegraph