Babysitter jailed for child knife attack

The jury heard how Mugliston violently slapped a child

A former nurse who held a knife to the throat of a six-year-old boy he was looking after has been jailed for two years.

Lee Mugliston, 35, from Ely in Cardiff, was also convicted of assaulting the child's four-year-old brother.

Mugliston had been babysitting the children at the time of the incidents.

He was found guilty of one charge of wounding with intent and one of cruelty to a child at Cardiff Crown Court.

Lee Mugliston was jailed for two years

Prosecutor Richard Twomlow told the court: "Mugliston has ill-treated both of the children on occasions since November 2001.

"But these incidents only came to light after June, when the four-year-old child was injured," he said.

The court heard how neighbours saw the Mugliston pick up the younger of the two boys by his neck and drop him onto the pavement outside the family home.

"The boy tried to run away but halfway across the street the defendant caught up with him," said Mr Twomlow.

He was knocked off his feet and fell to the floor screaming and crying

Prosecutor Richard Twomlow

"He violently slapped him across the back of the head.

"He was knocked off his feet and fell to the floor screaming and crying.

"The defendant struck him again before pushing him into a gate.

"He then opened the front door and pushed the boy inside," he said.

He added that a passing driver had heard Mugliston tell the child: "Get in there, I'm going to batter you."

"Neighbours heard shouting and screaming and banging from inside the house and called the child's mother," said Mr Twomlow.

"One knocked the front door to ask Mugliston what was happening.

"He was frothing at the mouth and his eyes were bulging.

"The mother rushed home to find the boy with a wound to his forehead which required three stitches," added Mr Twomlow.

Video link

During the trial, the older child, who cannot be named to protect his identity, gave evidence via a video link.

He said: "I don't like Lee because he hits me and kicks me and I don't know why.

"Once he held a knife to my throat when I was getting ready for bed. It was a sharp knife," he said.

Bob Hawkins, defending said: "The defendant still denies what has happened.

You are a man who is prone to display violent behaviour towards young children

Judge Isabel Parry

"The sadness and irony is that he has spent part of his working life as a nurse helping other people," he added.

Judge Isabel Parry told the defendant: "You have no idea how to handle vulnerable children appropriately - you are a man who is prone to display violent behaviour towards young children.

"You continue to deny all responsibility for the behaviour of which the jury has found you guilty," she added.