A CHILDMINDER accused of breaking a little boy’s leg while she was looking after him, has been described as 'caring and trustworthy' by parents.

Brenda Kennedy, 50, denies grievous bodily harm and child cruelty after it emerged a little boy had suffered a spiral fracture to his leg, when his mum collected him from nursery.

Kennedy, who runs Kennedy’s Kidz in Preston New Road, Blackburn, with her husband Terry, said she could not explain how the youngster came about his injury.

However a week after she was quizzed by police, the childminder filed an accident report claiming the tot had wriggled round while she changed his nappy, and said the injury could have been caused then.

In a series of character references, Preston Crown Court heard parents valued the care their children had received at Kennedy’s Kidz, and trusted the childminder with their children.

One mum said: “Brenda and Terry together made an excellent team. They provided a loving, homely environment to children in their care.”

Another dad said: “Brenda always seemed to be a woman who loved to take care of young children and who routinely took great pride in the extremely high standard of care she provided.

“My son adored her.”

Parents spoke of the Kennedy’s high standards of safeguarding and said all forms and procedures were completed in full.

Each child had a diary which would be completed daily to inform parents what their child had eaten, if they had slept and what activities they had taken part in.

One mum said: “They most certainly went above the call of duty. Whenever my daughter was ill they phoned me and kept me informed throughout the day.”

The tot, who can not be named for legal reasons, was found to have a fracture to his leg.

A doctor, who examined him at hospital, said the injury would have been caused by 'excessive force'.

The prosecution alleges Kennedy caused the injury to the boy and when she realised he was hurt, failed to seek appropriate medical attention.

Kennedy, of Preston New Road, denies the charges.

(Proceeding)