A heroin addict who beat up a young girl has been jailed.
Alex Barraclough, of Twelve Acres, Braintree, admitted cruelty and ill treatment and was sentenced to four years in prison.
He received another 18 months for burglary, attempted burglary and shoplifting.
Charlotte Stark, 23, also a heroin addict, of Balden Close, Braintree, who was said to be in the house while Barraclough hit the child, was jailed for 18 months after admitting cruelty and assault.
Judge Geoffrey Rivlin QC said the girl was covered in bruises, caused mainly by Barraclough.
The girl said Stark had caused a bruise on her cheek. The court heard the alarm had been raised by David Kennedy, a friend of Barraclough and Stark who was there at the time, when they were all taking heroin.
He was commended by Judge Rivlin for plucking up the courage to come forward.
By Lauren Spurgeon
Reporter's e-mail: lauren_spurgeon@thisisessex.co.uk
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article