A GREENBANK man was jailed for 12 months on Monday after he admitted causing cruelty to a child by neglecting him.

Stephen Lee Barlow, 25, of Marshalls Lane, appeared at Warrington Crown Court for sentencing after a boy he was supposed to be looking after was found with 31 separate injuries described by Judge David Hale as 'horrendous'.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was not at his family home when the offences occurred in April.

Barlow had appeared in court on September 2 to face the charge with co-defendant Victoria Antrobus, from Warrington, who was jailed for four years.

Maria Massellis, prosecuting, said among the injuries suffered by the boy were burns on his back and buttocks where he had been pressed against a radiator, which came to light when the boy was seen in public.

She said: "He was unable to walk properly and was kneeling on chairs rather than sitting on them."

She added: "The defendant saw the injuries but didn't take him to a general practitioner or hospital."

Judge Hale, when sentencing Barlow, said: "You didn't cause these horrendous injuries, however you knew they had been caused to him. One thing any human being would do is to take the child for instant medical attention.

"The injuries to his buttocks and back were so awful the only human reaction would be to take him to hospital, no matter what the consequences."

He added: "It was obvious he had continued to be in pain and that's the reason why you have to go to prison - the offence is too serious."