Film catches man tormenting baby

The mother hid the camera after becoming suspicious

A man who was secretly filmed swinging a baby around the room by her legs has escaped a prison sentence.

Jamie Thompson, from Clifford Street in Leicester, admitted cruelty after he was filmed by the child's mother.

Judge Michael Stokes QC said only the fact Thompson was suffering from a mental condition connected to his security guard job saved him from jail.

On Tuesday at Leicester Crown Court Thompson, 28, was given a two-year community rehabilitation order.

Psychological damage

The girl - who cannot be named for legal reasons - suffered a broken leg a month before the incident.

Her mother became suspicious and hid a camera in the lounge of their house.

This captured footage of Thompson swinging the girl by the leg and then taunting her.

The court heard Thompson was suffering from a mental condition

The judge said the child was terrified by what had happened - and although she suffered no serious physical injury the psychological damage was incalculable.

But he said there had been evidence from psychologists that Thompson, who was a security guard, was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after being caught up in two armed raids.

The child's mother said the sentence was not enough of a deterrent to others.

She said: "The sentence is far too lenient. I feel let down after everyone saw what happened, in court.

"I really did not think he would be let off so lightly. The only stress he has been under is the stress of finding an excuse to save his own neck."