M S and B (Fact Finding)

This is an enquiry into how C, who was born on the [a date in] 2013, sustained injuries on the 14/15 February 2014.

C is the daughter of M and is the sister of J, who was born on the [a date in] 2012.

In February 2014, the mother was living with her sister, S, in Manchester. It is common ground that during the evening of the 14 February, the mother went out for a meal with her boyfriend, B, leaving S to babysit. Additionally, a neighbour, N visited the house. At approximately 1 am, on Saturday, the 15 February 2014, S called the police and an ambulance and C was admitted to the Royal Manchester Hospital in the early hours suffering from extensive facial bruising. There were marks elsewhere on her body.

The four adults who had been in the house were arrested and subsequently interviewed on more than one occasion by the police

S, N and B were invited to intervene in the fact finding hearing. Mr B attended court on the 7 May 2014 and said he would see a solicitor; he was handed the names of suitably qualified solicitors. He did not attend on the 13 June and did not instruct solicitors. A witness summons was issued which he ignored and on the first day of the hearing I issued a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested during the second day of the trial at about 11.30am in the North East where he lives and brought in custody to court.