Bedfordshire father jailed for injuring twins
A father from Bedfordshire who caused fractures to the bones of both his baby twins has been jailed for 18 months.
Luton Crown Court heard that the 30-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been "heavy-handed" while handling the 19-day-old boys.
One twin had fractures on both legs, with the other found to have fractures to his thigh and leg bones, as well as an injury to his left wrist.
The man pleaded guilty to two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm.
The twins' injuries were discovered when their mother reported that one of the babies had been hurt as his father placed him in his cot.
The baby was taken to Luton and Dunstable hospital and after a fracture on his right leg was discovered, the other twin was also examined.
Bev Cripps, prosecuting, said the defendant had "accepted pulling or twisting when changing nappies" and grabbing one of the babies when he slipped from his chest.
"The defendant's description of being heavy-handed was the most consistent and plausible explanation," she said.
Anna Keighley, defending, said the man was no longer in a relationship with the twins' mother and that he no longer has contact with his children.
"These injuries were not born out of an intention or desire to hurt. They were caused recklessly," she said.
Sentencing the man to 18 months in prison, Judge Michael Kay QC said that the twins suffered "terrible injuries".
"It must have been obvious that the way you were handing these two young babies was dangerous and likely to result in injury," he said.