PARENTS of a baby who suffered a fractured skull after the father was drunk and dropped her on her head have been given a suspended jail sentence.

The parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to child neglect and were sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on Thursday.

The parents were at their home when a neighbour became concerned after hearing them arguing and went round to the house.

Prosecuting Brian Berlyne said: “The next door neighbour heard a woman scream ‘get off me’ then he heard her scream ‘you have hurt her.’

“He went to check the baby was ok.”

The drunk father came downstairs with the baby who had a mark on her forehead and blood on her hands legs.

The neighbour was so concerned that he called the police and officers arrived and arrested the parents and took the baby to hospital.

An x-ray showed that the seven-week-old baby had a fractured skull and a small area of bleeding.

Mr Berlyne said: “The father said that he had gone in to the bathroom and he had lost his balance and the baby fell and hit the floor.

“The mother confirmed that they had both been drinking heavily. She had tried to take the baby off him and he had struck her in the nose with his elbow.”

Defending the father Andrew Costello said: “There was no deliberate cause.

“He has had a long time to reflect on what he has done and he bears that burden heavy.”

Kimberley Moreton, defending the mother, said: “She accepts that alcohol has been a problem for long time. She is devastated about the injury and the fact that the baby has been adopted.

“She accepts her culpability and she is someone who needs help herself.”

Following the incident the child was put in care and has since been adopted.

Sentencing His Honour Judge Timothy Clayson said: “If I thought you had done it deliberately you would be going to prison for a long time.

“You put drink before caring for your daughter, you disabled yourself from responding to her medical needs.

“It was a serious thing to have done the child was very young and suffered a nasty injury.”

The father as given eight months in prison suspended for 12 months and a 30 day rehabilitation requirement.

The mother was given four months in prison suspended for 12 months and a 20 day rehabilitation requirement.