A toddler was snatched from his mother's arms as she stood in her Harwich home, a court heard.

Trevor Wildney, 29, grabbed two-year-old Brooklyn from his wife, Michelle, after forcing his way into the house, a court heard.

He ran out of the Clarkes Road house but was stopped by neighbours and friends, who floored him and returned the child to his mother, Colchester magistrates heard yesterday.

Brooklyn had two bruises and two minor cuts to his face after the incident, on November 11, which prosecutor Paul Roach said were caused by Wildney.

But Dieter Kehler, mitigating, said they happened when Wildney was thrown to the floor by neighbours while still holding the child.

The court heard Wildney has a number of previous convictions for violent crimes, some of which were also against Mrs Wildney.

Wildney, of William Groom Avenue, Dovercourt, admitted common assault on his wife and was jailed for 11 weeks. A further two days will be served for an outstanding fine of £85.

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Published Wednesday, February 23, 2005

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