Young couple jailed for neglect of baby

A young couple whose baby suffered serious injuries after they neglected it were sentenced in the High Court at Wellington today.

Justice France sentenced Peter Jon Smith, 18, a baker, and Amanda Huisman, 19, both to one year's jail.

The couple were convicted of wilful neglect causing unnecessary suffering at the High Court at Palmerston North last month.

The charges against the teenagers, who were 16 and 17 when the baby was born 16 weeks premature in October 2000, were laid six months after the baby was admitted to Palmerston North hospital in March last year with 17 fractures to the arms, legs and ribs.

- NZPA