A man who threw a child at a TV has said he is "disgusted" and "ashamed" of himself.
Jamie Pearce, 33, has avoided a prison sentence for the horrific attack against the youngster, who suffered injuries to their back. Pearce, of St Luke Street in Beeston, appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and two counts of criminal damage. He represented himself at the sentencing hearing which heard he had a violent past.
Prosecutor, Paul Cleasby, said Pearce had been drinking on the day of the attack. The injuries to the child were discovered when a family member noticed them "arch their back in pain" when they went to give a hug.
Read more: Leeds thug who brutally attacked partner caught by his own 'dog cam'
Mr Cleasby said: [The family member] had a closer look at the injuries and took [the child] to the hospital in order to get those checked. [The child] was released without treatment."
Pearce was arrested and in interview made admissions and told police he was drunk. He told officers he had assaulted a woman and when the child got between them he assaulted the child. The child said they were "thrown" at the TV. Mr Cleasby said Pearce had previous convictions for violence including battery, actual bodily harm, wounding and affray.
The court heard a reference from Pearce's employer - Sound Leisure - had been handed in. In his own representation, Pearce said his employer had paid for private therapy which he was still undergoing. He said of his past offending: "It wasn't me. You can see a gap...and I stopped all that. I just drank too much and it was pure loss of control. I held my hands up at the first opportunity, took responsibility, I'm not dragging anything out. I'm ashamed and disgusted in myself."
Recorder Giuliani handed Pearce an 18-month sentence suspended for two years for assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the child, common assault and two counts of criminal damage. He told him he must undertake 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 250 hours of unpaid work. The judge said: "You have expressed disgust at yourself."
Pearce was also made the subject of two separate restraining orders for a period of eight years. A woman in the public gallery shouted at Pearce and told him to "keep smiling" as the sentencing hearing came to an end.
Read next:
Leeds woman 'terrified' to sleep, shower, or leave house as vandals repeatedly 'torture' her
Leeds teen's important message for all girls after she disarmed and photographed knife attacker
Pensioner attacked outside Leeds Aldi in anti-Semitic hate crime
The Confession on Prime Video: Where Keith Hall is now 30 years after wife Patricia's 'murder'
