In 2020, the Offender Database recorded that then 23-year-old Connor Brown—of Larkhall, South Lanarkshire—was jailed for 21 months for the “vile” assault of an 18-month-old baby. The investigation established that the attack took place in September 2018 at a home in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire. When the infant became upset on his lap, Brown lost his temper and forced her arms behind her back until they snapped, simply because he could not stop her from crying.
The investigation established that the girl’s mother witnessed the incident and heard her daughter’s arms “crack.” Although the mother initially claimed the child had fallen behind a television to protect Brown, staff at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride challenged the account. Medical examinations reported that the child had sustained spiral fractures to both humerus bones. The prosecution reported that Brown callously attempted to blame the injuries on an epileptic fit, a claim that was rejected by the court following a specialist hearing.
Judicial Findings and Medical Evidence
The court reported that a doctor who treated the toddler testified the fractures could only have been caused by the arms being twisted and bent backwards with significant force. The investigation established that while Brown claimed he could not remember the assault and would “never injure anybody on purpose,” his actions caused extreme distress to the defenceless victim. The prosecution reported that the tot’s arms were required to be in plaster for several weeks during her recovery.
Judge-led proceedings at Hamilton Sheriff Court concluded with Sheriff Thomas Millar sentencing Brown to 21 months in prison, of which he was expected to serve only 10 months. For his actions in Blantyre and the nature of the “callous” injuries reported, the Sheriff noted that despite Brown’s limited record, a custodial sentence was the only appropriate response for such a “very serious offence.” The court reported that the sentence would have been longer had Brown not entered a guilty plea.
Status and Statutory Requirements
Based on the judicial orders issued at Hamilton Sheriff Court in 2020:
- Custodial Status: SERVING (Sentenced to 21 months in 2020; currently subject to post-release supervision or licence).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Assault to severe injury).
- DBS/PVG Status: Placed on the Barring List (Indefinite ban on working with children or vulnerable adults; permanently barred from all regulated activity).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court; investigated by Police Scotland.
- Criminal Record: Forced an 18-month-old baby’s arms behind her back until they snapped; Caused dual spiral fractures; Attempted to blame the injuries on an epileptic fit; Described as a “coward” by the prosecution.
- Origin: Larkhall, South Lanarkshire (Offences committed in Blantyre).
Monitoring and Public Protection
Brown is managed as a high-risk violent offender under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in South Lanarkshire. Due to the nature of his conduct—specifically his “complete lack of impulse control resulting in the breaking of a baby’s limbs”—he is a priority for the highest levels of community oversight. Authorities reported that the 2020 conviction ensures Brown is subject to permanent barring to prevent him from ever having professional or unsupervised contact with children.
As a convicted child abuser, his details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that Brown’s history identifies him as an individual who prioritised his own “temper” over the safety of a defenceless toddler. Any failure by Brown to adhere to his licence conditions in Larkhall or elsewhere, or any unauthorised proximity to children, will result in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who “trampled all over the principles of human decency.”
QUESTION – Given that the offender will serve only 10 months for snapping both arms of an 18-month-old baby, do you believe that “Automatic Half-Sentence Release” should be legally abolished for all crimes involving severe physical injury to children?
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