A child abuser was jailed today after inflicting a five-year-old boy with deliberate bruises and burns over a two month period in Blackley.
Tennesh Massaquoi, 29, of Chain Road, Blackley was found guilty of four counts of child cruelty at Manchester Crown Court Crown Square for the abuse which was uncovered when the boy was taken to hospital on Monday July 9 2012 for treatment to a burn-like injury.
Staff were told that he had sprayed a bottle of bathroom cleaner onto his cheek but after further questioning, which the boy was reluctant to answer, a catalogue of injuries to the boy was uncovered.
The boy had a black eye, a burn to the back of his neck, serious bruising to his back, bruising to his legs, torso and chest, severe bruising and swelling to his genitals, as well as the chemical burns to his face that prompted his admittance to hospital.
After further investigation by four medical experts, the injuries were found to be deliberate and that the bruises would have likely been caused by punches and kicks and the burns from a hot liquid being poured on them.
Detective Constable Kate Burrows of the North Manchester Child Protection Team said: “Not only was this boy severely injured, he was also a terrified and traumatised child, who has been through more than any five-year-old should ever have to endure.
“The process of treating him and offering support to him needed to be a joint effort between the NHS, Children’s Services and the police. The response to this incident by Children’s Services in particular was outstanding.
“Specially trained police officers needed to not only support the boy through the investigation and subsequent court case, but also ensure there was enough evidence against the person responsible.”
The boy admitted to specially trained officers that Massaquoi had kicked him and that she had poured hot coffee on him and said it was done ‘on purpose’.
Massaquoi was then arrested
DC Burrows added: “The fact that after a seven-day trial a jury unanimously returned a guilty verdict in less than two hours is a testament to our efforts.
“As for the child, the excellent partnership working between all of the agencies concerned will ensure he has a safe future, and he can get on with enjoying his childhood.”
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
