Mother under council care killed baby

A mother punched and killed her 11-week-old daughter despite being under daily supervision by social workers, a court heard today.

Karen Leggat, 23, who has learning difficulties and a personality disorder, needed notes pinned up inside her flat to advise her when the baby should be fed and how to make up milk bottles for her.

She complained she was finding it difficult to cope with the child at night but no decision was taken by the authorities in Norfolk to provide round-the-clock care.

Norfolk social services have been heavily criticised over a case at the same court a few weeks ago - that of Lauren Wright who was battered to death by her stepmother Tracey Wright, 31. Crucial errors by social workers were identified in that case. Wright is serving 15 years for manslaughter.

Norwich Crown Court heard that Leggat, who has an IQ of 69, killed her baby by punching her on the side of her head, fracturing her skull.

She pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Her plea was accepted by the prosecution and Judge David Stokes, QC, sentenced her to a three-year probation order, including anger management classes.

The court heard that Leggat had said she wanted to be surgically sterilised to prevent her having any more children.

Judge Stokes told Leggat: "This was a deliberate assault on a defenceless infant. It was a terrible thing to do.

"The caring professionals realised your limited intellect raised concerns about your caring skills but did not realise you had a personality disorder."