A man who left a young child with life-threatening injuries after subjecting him to a serious assault has been sentenced to jail.
Johnathan Harris, aged 40, residing at East Thorpe View in Nottingham, received a prison term of ten and a half years, along with an additional four-year extended licence period, at Leeds Crown Court last Thursday (2/11).
The child was merely three years old when Harris assaulted him at a residence in Leeds in August 2021. He was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries initially considered life-threatening, and he spent over a week in the hospital undergoing treatment.
While he physically recovered, he continued to grapple with behavioural and mental health issues stemming from the incident.
Upon Harris’s arrest, he initially denied responsibility for the injuries and claimed ignorance of how they occurred. However, an investigation led by the Leeds District Safeguarding Team uncovered evidence that led to Harris being charged. He later confessed to the offence when interviewed by the officers.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Katie Hall, who was the officer in the case, said; “The injuries Harris inflicted on this boy were absolutely horrific.
“I hope the outcome will give the victim and his family some comfort, and that they can move forward with their lives – knowing that the man who inflicted this vicious assault, is safely behind bars.”
