A horrified mum returned home to find her son strapped to a bunk bed with cable ties. Jonathan Ladley, 39, admitted to child cruelty after a 'totally inappropriate' reaction, reports Hull Live.
The incident occurred back in 2020, when the mother went out shopping to return home to the scary scene. Hull Crown Court heard that whilst she was out Ladley tied the boy to a bed frame using cable ties.
Michele Stuart-Lofthouse, prosecuting, says the 39-year-old put one around his wrist, another attached to the post and a third cable linking the two together.
The mother was terrified to see her son being treated in such a horrific manner. The prosecutor said: "She recalls feeling scared when she saw him tied up."
"She had demanded a pair of scissors. The boy was also upset.
"He was distressed. Ladley denied having any cable ties or tying the boy to the bed in a police interview where he made no comment to police questions.
However, he eventually changed his story as the case was originally listed for trial but he changed his plea. The mother said: "I still can't believe that was something he did to my son.
"He well and truly overstepped the mark on that day. I can't quantify the full impact it has had on my son nor the effect it will have in later life.
"If he had been restrained for any longer, he could have been injured. He had no right to do what he did that day. I will never forgive him for what he did to my son."
Charlotte Baines, mitigating, said: "There has been no hint of any further problems. There have been no problems whatsoever.
"This was a momentary lapse in judgement on the defendant's behalf. It doesn't excuse his behaviour in no way, shape or form.
"This should never have happened. The defendant accepts that."
Judge Mark Bury told Ladley: "You tied him to a bed frame with cable ties on his wrist, which essentially prevented him from getting off the bed. That was totally inappropriate and you accept that now.
"He was in that position for only a matter of minutes when his mother came back from the shops and discovered him in that position. I am quite satisfied that he was distressed.
"He did not know how long he was going to be in that position for. It's particularly demeaning to be treated in this way.
"It's difficult to assess the level of emotional harm that has been caused to him. It happened for only a short period of time."
In sentencing, Ladley was given 100 hours' unpaid work and was ordered to pay £250 costs.
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