Boy will need 'lifetime of care'

A baby boy who suffered catastrophic injuries - allegedly at the hands of adults - will be dependent on others for the rest of his life, a jury heard.

The 10-week-old boy's injuries were consistent with being in a serious car crash or falling from a great height, Manchester Crown Court was told.

Nicholas Muhanza, 22, denies neglect. Chantelle Raschid, 20, of Openshaw, Manchester admits assault and neglect.

The boy was in their care at the time the injuries were allegedly inflicted.

He received multiple fractures to his head, collarbones, ribs and limbs. He also lost his sight and was brain damaged, said prosecutor Neil Fryman.

He's unlikely to walk independently Dr Hilary Smith, paediatrician

The boy, whose identity is protected by law and is known as Child A, received the injuries on three separate occasions in the weeks and hours before he was taken to hospital, the jury heard.

Mr Fryman said: "The prosecution say that it must have been either or both of those defendants who caused the serious injuries and caused them deliberately and not accidentally."

Ms Raschid took the boy to Manchester Royal Infirmary shortly before 0400 BST on 3 July 2007 with life-threatening injuries, the jury was told.

Dr Hilary Smith, a paediatrician, said Child A had a 5mm fracture on the right side of his head and a 3mm fracture on the left side.

Doctors discovered bleeding between the brain and membrane, both his collarbones were broken, as were three ribs in different places. He also had fractures to his arms and legs.

Neighbour blamed

Dr Smith said the brain injury was likely to have occurred shortly before the boy was admitted to hospital.

She said: "He has severe disabilities. He's unlikely to walk independently, he's likely to be dependent on others for the rest of his life."

Dr Smith said Ms Raschid's explanations as to Child A's condition were inconsistent.

She claimed a neighbour in Ornsay Walk, Openshaw, grabbed the baby while high on alcohol and cannabis and banged his head on a doorframe, the court heard.

Child A was solely in Mr Muhanza's care - for the first time - the day before he was admitted to hospital, Mr Fryman said.

Mr Muhanza, who works nights, told police that from lunchtime he and the child both slept until about 2000 BST, and he did not feed or change his nappy.

He suggested an ambulance should be called when the child appeared unwell, the jury heard.

The trial continues.