R v NW [2024] (Inner London Crown Court) – Community order for client committed to Crown Court on ABH and child cruelty

Dharsha Jegatheeswaran’s client was charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) and one count of cruelty to a child (s1(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933). The Defendant repeatedly hit her son resulting in cuts and bruising, before videotaping the injuries to send to family members.

Her client had a previous conviction for a similar matter involving another child.

Dharsha’s client pleaded guilty before the Magistrate’s Court and was committed to the Crown Court for sentencing.

Following mitigation, the Judge was persuaded that due to the Defendant’s own experiences of trauma, the actions she was taking to address her own mental health, and the impact a custodial sentence may have on her children, a community order was appropriate.