Nursery worker grabbed baby by arm in 'reckless act'

A nursery worker who assaulted a baby by picking him up by the arm has been sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work and told to pay compensation to the boy's family.

Elizabeth Adeagbo assaulted the boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, at a nursery in Wirral in April last year.

At a sentencing hearing earlier, Liverpool Magistrates' Court heard the 29-year-old picked up the boy by his left arm when he grabbed her trouser leg looking for attention.

The boy's mother said in a statement that watching CCTV footage of the incident was "something that will stay with us forever".

At her trial Adeagbo had said she lifted the boy up by one arm because she was washing up at the time and did not want to get him wet from her apron.

The boy had been in tears when his mother picked him up hours after the incident, but he had no injuries when checked at hospital.

In a statement read to the court, another nursery worker told how when she saw what was happening she told the defendant that she could not pick up a child like that.

At the time Adeagbo said she was sorry.

She was convicted of assault by beating after a trial at South Sefton Magistrates' Court in March.

In an emotional statement which she read to the court, the boy's mother said: "From the minute we got the call from the nursery the whole situation has been very stressful for me and my family.

"It is a big thing to place your trust in a nursery and you expect good care. I do not know why anyone would think it appropriate to carry a child like that."

Presiding magistrate Diane Davies told Adeagbo she had committed a "reckless act" and had exceeded the implied consent that nursery workers have to handle children in their care.

However, the magistrates also took into account Adeagbo's remorse.

They sentenced her to a 12-month community order which will include 10 rehabilitation days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

Adeagbo will also have to pay £300 in costs, and £250 compensation to the boy's family.

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