Allergy boy 'fed peanut butter'

The nanny is also accused of burning a girl's hand

A nanny risked a boy's life by feeding him a peanut butter sandwich, despite his allergy, a court has heard.

The toddler lapsed into unconsciousness and was rushed into hospital.

Australian nanny Michelle Brittain "boasted" about what she had done and told fellow nannies she would never tell the boy's mother she was responsible for what had happened, a jury heard.

However, the court was told the boy's mother did discover the alleged action and she contacted other families the woman had worked for.

Burnt hand

London's Southwark Crown Court heard that, as a result, other cases involving 24-year-old Ms Brittain came to light.

Sallie Howes, prosecuting, said Ms Brittain had pressed a one-year-old baby girl's hand against an oven until she suffered a burn.

The barrister claimed that after this and the later occasion involving the little boy, the defendant lied to parents and medical staff about what had occurred.

Ms Brittain, who lives in Little St Leonards, East Sheen, Surrey, denies one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the baby girl in October 1999, an alternative count of cruelty, and a further allegation of cruelty involving the boy.

She began working for the boy's family in south-west London in August 2000.

While working for the family, she is alleged to have taken the toddler to a nanny group and, while there, fed the boy with a peanut butter sandwich rather than food specially prepared for him.

One guest mentioned the allergy to Ms Brittain and the nanny was said to have replied: "I know, but it has not been proven.

"This way we will find out for sure and see if his mother is just neurotic."

Social event

The boy's skin became "blotchy and lumpy" and he struggled for breath, the prosecutor said.

The court heard that while Ms Brittain did not reveal to the boy's mother that he had eaten peanut butter, she did boast of it to fellow nannies.

Miss Howes told the jury that when the boy's mother was told about Ms Brittain's attitude and what she had said, she contacted other families the nanny had worked for.

This led to the question of the little girl's burn being re-examined, and eventuality the police being called in.

The trial continues.