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Baby's injuries could not have been prevented

A case review into the injuries inflicted on a one-month-old baby in Gravesend has found no evidence to suggest they could have been "predicted or prevented".

Nathan Rawling, sentenced to 10 years for GBH with intent after seriously injuring month-old baby.
Nathan Rawling, sentenced to 10 years for GBH with intent after seriously injuring month-old baby.

Nathan Rawling, 36, formerly of St Gregory’s Crescent, was jailed last week for 10 years for causing life-threatening injuries to the boy, who cannot be identified.

A report by the Kent Safeguarding Children Board concluded there was no evidence to suggest the baby "might be deliberately injured, let alone that those injuries would be substantial".

It said: "There is no evidence arising from this review to suggest the baby’s injuries could have been predicted or prevented.

"There was never any information which might have suggested a risk of physical harm."

The review looked into the roles of Darent Valley Hospital, King’s College Hospital in London, the Kent Community Health NHS Trust, Kent Police and KCC Children’s Services in the months leading up to the attack on December 1, 2011.

During his trial at Maidstone Crown Court, the jury heard Rawling caused 26 fractures to the baby’s ribs, fractures to both collarbones and a spiral break to the right arm.

Trauma to the chest punctured both lungs leading to the baby having a heart attack and stopping breathing.

Rawling also twisted the baby’s penis in his anger because the child urinated on him.

The report continued: "Detailed information about these events was published in the local and national press.

"All agencies investigated this but neither the agency nor the person responsible has been identified."

Speaking to the Gravesend Messenger, Kent Safeguarding Children Board chairman Maggie Blyth said: "Serious injuries suffered by any child or young person are distressing and I would like to express my own sadness today as to the experience that the child endured.

"This was not a case where the Kent Safeguarding Children Board was required by law to carry out a review because there was no suggestion the agencies involved had failed in their duty to work together to protect him.

"After the baby’s injuries were discovered, the multi-agency response was rapid and thorough and all agencies made time to meet, share information, plan and work together to manage a difficult situation.

The review found the injuries could not have been predicted or prevented.

Nothing had been raised with police, health or social care agencies and there had been no suggestion of child protection issues.

She added: "The review did not identify any significant weaknesses in the agencies’ response."

Police have since said that the baby is doing well.

Det Ch Insp Andy Pritchard, pictured, said: “The baby was brought to Darent Valley Hospital in an extremely critical condition with serious injuries – more critical than I’ve seen in my time in public protection where a child has survived.

"I would have expected this baby not to have survived. It’s really fantastic the work they did at Darent Valley Hospital.”

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