A MAN and a woman have been jailed after a toddler suffered horrific injuries in a catalogue of abuse.

Burnley Crown Court had been told how the little boy had 16 injuries, including three major breaks to his arms, damage to his ears, toes and genitals, a tear inside his mouth and a "massive" amount of bruises when he was examined by a consultant paediatrician in January last year.

The youngster was unable to move his elbow properly and would have cried in pain each and every time his arm moved, caused by bones grating together because of two displaced fractures, the court heard.

Sentencing Nicola Gallagher, 23, and her former partner Christopher Bowden, 20 - neither of whom claim responsibility for the injuries - both to custody for 18 months, Judge Barbara Watson said the case was serious child abuse and the court had to respond to public concern in respect of the well-being of helpless children.

She added the child had suffered very grave pain over a long period of time but if he had got medical treatment, that would have been avoided.

The judge told the defendants: "Physically, and against expectation, the little boy has recovered very well and surgical intervention is no longer required to reset his elbow. However, he will suffer the consequences of what you did for a very long time. I don't talk of the physical consequences but the psychological ones."

Mother-of-two Gallagher, of Hardman Avenue, Rawtenstall, and Bowden, of Cheltenham Avenue, Accrington, had earlier both admitted child cruelty.

Charles Brown, prosecuting, said in November 1999, bruises were spotted on the child and Gallagher said he had been falling over and banging into things. It was later noticed his arm was sore and he had difficulty moving it. The toddler also had a fading black eyes and cuts. In January 2000 the child was seen to have dried blood on his lips , bruises to his ear and face as well as the injured arm.

The little boy was examined by a consultant paediatrician who noted he was extremely frightened of anything that was going on and became distraught when his socks were taken off.

Philip Holden, defending Gallagher, who had no previous convictions, said she had been subjected to violence at the hands of Bowden, who had tried to strangle her. She was not responsible for any of the injuries, wasn't aware that the little boy had suffered any fractures but knew he had bruises, Mr Holden said.