mum gets suspended sentence for trapping tot in tumble dryer to take pictures

'OMG, found my son in the tumble dryer': Mother spared jail after taking picture of trapped son, 2, 'for You've Been Framed'

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 9:44 AM on 26th February 2011

A cruel mother who took a picture of her two-year-old son trapped in a tumble dryer was spared a prison sentence yesterday.

Kerry Parker, 21, watched as her teenage boyfriend put toddler George, into the machine then posted a photograph of the child on Facebook with the caption 'OMG, found my son in the drier! LMAO.'
The pair were said to be inspired by the ITV programme You've Been Framed when placing the child in the dryer.

However, the boy's father did not see the funny side and contacted police when he spotted the disturbing image.

Isle of Wight Crown Court heard that Parker laughed at her son's plight after her boyfriend, Oliver Smith, 17, had helped the tot get into the mini tumble dryer.

Fortunately it was not switched on so did not start spinning when the door was closed behind him.

Roger Fruen, prosecuting, said: 'The publication of the photographs on Facebook was an aggravating factor. If it were to encourage other people to do this, it could lead to a fatality of a child.'

Lifting reporting restrictions on George's identity so that the case could be fully reported, Judge Andrew Barnett said: 'This is not a long, heart-rending saga of neglect, but a ridiculously irresponsible moment of madness.

Bearing in mind how dangerous these machines can be, it could have ended in a ghastly tragedy. Mercifully, the machine was not switched on or both of you would be facing a much more serious charge.

'It was appalling to photograph the child and spread it around, it beggars belief that people can behave like this.
'You both richly deserve to go to prison immediately but, mercifully, this moment of appalling irresponsibility was short lived and there was no lasting harm to the toddler.

'If those charged with looking after children misbehave, they will rightly feel the displeasure of the court and public horror at their actions.'

The couple's solicitor, Jamie Porter, laid part of the blame for their actions on the TV programme "You've Been Framed" and that they now realised the seriousness of their crime.

He added: 'Smith is an immature man who can barely look after himself, let alone a child. He gave no consideration to the risks of his actions but is now very remorseful. There was no intent to cause harm.'

Parker and Smith, of Temperance Place, Ryde, on the Isle of Wight, were both charged with ill-treating a child and admitted the offence at an earlier hearing.

Parker was handed a six month prison sentence suspended for two years and an 18-month supervision order.
College student, Smith, was handed a two-year youth rehabilitation order and a three month curfew.

The Famous Grouse wrote:
However, the boy's father did not see the funny side and contacted police when he spotted the disturbing image.

aqeleega wrote:I can never understand people who send in film of their dog dragging their baby around by their clothes as if it is funny. They should get a visit from social services IMO