A YOUNG woman was seen by shocked passers-by repeatedly slapping her baby son across the face and then dropping him on to the pavement, a court heard.

Fortunately the seven-month-old infant did not suffer any serious injuries in the incident but his mother, Marta Morova, appeared in court admitting child cruelty.

The 20-year-old was due for sentence but after hearing that she has learning difficulties and has nowhere to live a judge further remanded her in custody until May 1 for more inquiries to be made.

Liverpool Crown Court heard on the morning of March 11 last year Morova was seen carrying the crying baby, Kamil Morova in Bradshawgate, Leigh, and she slapped him twice across the left cheek with her open palm.

She took a few steps and then slapped him forcefully two more times which increased his crying.

Witnesses alerted the police and she was detained and the infant taken to hospital where he underwent CT and MRI scans.

He had suffered reddening to the face but no serious injury, the court heard.

When Morova, of Gordon Street, Leigh, who does not speak English, was quizzed with the aid of an interpreter, she said: "He fell from my grip because I only had hold of him with my left arm and he was wriggling and I lost my grip."

Rebecca Smith, defending, said Morova came to this country last October with her son.