Latest news with #toddlerinjury
BBC News
27-06-2025
- BBC News
Felixstowe unicycle crash left toddler with fractured skull
A mum said she feared her daughter had died after suffering a fractured skull when she was struck by a man riding an electric two-year-old toddler sustained the serious injuries after being hit on Felixstowe Promenade in Wickenden, 50, of Old Norwich Road in Ipswich, was given a 14-week custodial sentence, suspended for one year, at Ipswich Magistrates' to the BBC outside court, her mum said: "No sentence is ever going to be enough for what he has caused my daughter at such a young age." Wickenden was riding a Bedgode unicycle, which can only legally be used on private land. He had admitted causing serious injury by careless driving, using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance, and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a court heard how boat builder Wickenden hit the toddler on 3 November 2024 while weaving in and out of pedestrians on the busy in a statement, the defendant said he was travelling at a speed "less than cyclists" and close to the wall to "minimise potential contact with others".He said he collided with the girl after she started running towards him, explaining he slowed down before "accelerating slightly to get out of her way"."I am devastated and I've had sleepless nights," his statement defence lawyer told the court "to say this is a terrible accident is an understatement" but Wickenden had shown "genuine sympathy and demonstrable remorse". The toddler was discharged from hospital after four hours but later "woke up screaming in agony" and started being "constantly sick", the court tests revealed she had suffered "substantial injuries", including a bleed on the brain."It's the last thing you ever want to hear, that your child is in pain or suffering," her mum said in a statement."Seeing my daughter in a situation I couldn't prevent was heart-breaking." The court heard the toddler recovered from her injuries but there were significant concerns about her long-term development as a result."I felt I was a failure as a mother due to not being able to protect my children," she mother said her daughter's five-year-old brother had woken up with nightmares due to the incident. Speaking to the BBC, the mother said she was in Aldi supermarket when she was told about the extent of her daughter's injuries."While I am not a very emotional person, when I got the call I broke down," she said."I had what I would describe as my first panic attack and I was sobbing. "I essentially thought she was dead."Wickenden's was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Woman is charged after toddler's arm ripped open in dog attack outside primary school
A woman has been charged after a toddler's arm was ripped open by a dog which attacked her outside of a primary school. Bunnie, three, was walking home with her father and two siblings last Tuesday when the Cockapoo attacked her outside Miers Court Primary School in Rainham, Kent, at around 3.30pm. Her father Rowen Skinley told KentOnline he had to to hold the skin on her arm together with his hands before people nearby rushed to help. Bunnie was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital in nearby Gillingham before being transferred to St Thomas' Hospital in Westminster, London, the following morning. There, she had several X-rays to ensure the puncture had not hit her bone, before undergoing the reconstructive surgery. Mr Skinley explained: 'She also has a lung condition and really bad asthma so she had to be marked down as a high-risk category for sedation.' Police launched an investigation and have now announced they made an arrest yesterday in connection with the incident. Officers also seized a dog, believed to be a Cockapoo. Tracie Inkpen, 50, from Gillingham, was charged the same day with being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury. She was later bailed and will appear before Medway Magistrates' Court at a later date. Mr Skinley last week said his daughter is 'doing well now', adding: 'She's just a bit shaken and keeps talking about how scared she is of the dog.' Speaking about the attack, he said: 'It happened parallel to the school on the main road. I was just walking home after the school run. 'The path is quite narrow and a woman was walking her dog on the actual road itself. 'Then, out of nowhere, the dog just lunged for my daughter and pulled her to the floor.' Bystanders rushed over to help: 'People who saw what happened came over and said that my daughter hadn't even put her hand out to the dog.'
RNZ News
14-05-2025
- RNZ News
Dog owner prosecuted after toddler viciously attacked in own front yard
The child was attacked by two American bulldogs. File photo. Photo: 123RF An Auckland woman has been sentenced to community work after her two dogs seriously injured a toddler in an attack in his own front yard. The two-year-old was mauled by two roaming American bulldogs that came onto his South Auckland property in March last year. His shoulder blade was fractured, and he had several serious wounds to his head and neck from the "unprovoked and sustained" attack, the council said. The dogs continued to attack as the boy's mother lifted him to safety and other people tried to help. CCTV footage showed the attack only stopped when the dogs were removed by the owners' relatives and driven away, the council said. The toddler had to have multiple operations and a long stay in hospital. The dogs' owner Janna Faumui pleaded guilty to charges of owning dogs that attacked a person causing serious injury, the council said. The judge said he was considering a jail term, but Faumi did not have a previous criminal history, did not appear to be a threat to the community and had shown remorse. She was sentenced to 150 hours community work and told to pay $2000 in emotional harm reparation to the boy's family. Both the dogs were voluntarily handed over to the council and euthanised after the attack. Auckland Council said the case was a wake-up call and all dog owners should make sure they were well trained animals and never allowed to roam. Councillor Josephine Bartlett said dog owners had to understand those duties and would be prosecuted if they failed. "It is not okay for dogs to be roaming or uncontrolled. The trauma and injuries inflicted on this child were horrific and entirely preventable," she said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
