In 2026, a 32-year-old man was sentenced to five years and six months’ imprisonment at Reading Crown Court after inflicting extensive injuries on a 25-day-old infant and subsequently carrying out a violent robbery against a supermarket security guard.
Joshua Grant, residing at Ashampstead Road, Reading, appeared before the court for sentencing on 26 October 2026. He had entered a formal guilty plea to a charge of child cruelty, and was separately convicted by a jury in his absence of robbery and theft.
The prosecution outlined that the child cruelty incident occurred on 23 March 2023. A complex investigation conducted by the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit uncovered that Grant had inflicted severe physical violence upon a newborn baby who was just 25 days old. Medical examinations confirmed that the infant sustained two fractured ribs, external bruising, and internal trauma comprising brain, spinal, and retinal haemorrhaging. Grant was arrested four days after the incident and formally charged in November 2024.
While awaiting resolution of the child abuse proceedings, Grant committed a violent commercial robbery on 17 January 2026 at the Tesco store situated on Bath Road in Reading. During the offence, Grant confronted a 57-year-old security guard who was on duty, punching the worker directly in the face before making off from the store with stolen merchandise. The assault left the victim with permanent and lasting damage to his teeth.
Grant stood trial in his absence for the violent robbery and was found guilty on all counts.
His convictions comprise:
Assaulting a child to cause unnecessary injury
One count of robbery
One count of theft
Investigating officer Detective Constable Sam Haselgrove, of the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, stated:
“Joshua Grant caused extremely serious injuries to a defenceless baby who was just 25 days old. The harm he inflicted could have had devastating consequences, and I am pleased he has now been held accountable for his actions. This case reflects our determination to protect vulnerable victims and bring those responsible for serious offences before the courts. Grant’s offending was not limited to this incident. He also used violence against a shop worker who was simply carrying out his duties. We will always investigate reports of suspected child abuse thoroughly and work with partner agencies to safeguard children at risk.”
Passing sentence, the Crown Court judge addressed the acute vulnerability of a newborn child subjected to violent trauma, alongside the brazen violence deployed against a public-facing retail worker.
The judge sentenced Grant to an aggregate custodial sentence of five years and six months’ imprisonment.
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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