Baby forced to smoke cannabis

The teenager used cannabis regularly

A teenager who forced a baby to smoke cannabis has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years custody.

Michael Carter, 19, put the pipe filled with the drug into the six-month-old girl's mouth at least three times during drug-smoking sessions, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

He also admitted dropping her on the floor, which resulted in a fractured skull and broken ribs.

Prosecutor Hywel Hughes told the court that Carter, of Graig-y-Rhacca, Caerphilly, was a regular user of cannabis.

"He admits putting the pipe holding cannabis into the baby's mouth," he told the court.

Grievous bodily harm

Mr Hughes explained that an x-ray revealed the fractures to the baby's head and ribs.

Carter later admitted to dropping the child on the floor, punching her, and throwing her into a cot.

He admitted two charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm and one of failing to obtain medical assistance for the child.

Hugh Wallace, defending, said Carter was "reckless" but did not intend to harm the baby.

Judge David Wynn Morgan sentenced Carter to four-and-a-half years in a young offender institution.

He told Carter: "These were not isolated incidents but a course of reckless behaviour which caused the gravest of injuries."