Nathan Michael Dawes fractures child’s skull, leaves her in ‘extreme’ pain

A “defenceless” child was lucky to escape a brain injury after being left with a fractured skull caused by a 36-year-old Gympie man who became frustrated and pushed her.

A Gympie man will spend Christmas behind bars for causing multiple injuries of an 18-month-old “defenceless” child in 2017.

The injuries suffered by the toddler included a fractured skull, fractures to both forearms, fractures of the right foot and a fracture of the lower leg.

Nathan Michael Dawes, 36, pleaded guilty in Maroochydore District Court to five counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of cruelty to a child between March and August of 2017.

Dawes initially claimed the fractured skull had been caused when the child walked into a TV cabinet, but later admitted to pushing her when he became “frustrated” with the child’s crying.

“You didn't seek treatment for any of those injuries which must have caused the child significant pain and that is where you were charged with child neglect,” Judge Glen Cash said.

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When an ambulance was called by the child’s mother, the girl had an altered state of consciousness and was bleeding from the ear, the court heard.

A paediatrician at the Gympie Hospital became aware of the serious injuries via an x-ray and also observed extensive bruising and swelling to the right side of her face.

He concluded the injuries were consistent with blunt trauma and repeated blows with “significant” force used, which he said would have caused “extreme” pain at the time.

Crown prosecutor Greg Cummings said it was due to “good luck” the child didn’t suffer a brain injury.

Barrister Amelia Loode told the court Dawes was a commercial fisherman and had a carpet cleaning business before he was taken into custody in February of 2021.

She said the father of two had a criminal history of drug and dishonesty offences, but had recently been offered employment once he is released from jail.

“He previously had some issues with drug use involving both ice and cannabis,” Ms Loode said.

Ms Loode said Dawes had a low risk of reoffending and was remorseful for his actions.

She told the court the child had not suffered any lasting effects from the assaults.

Having already spent 225 days in custody, Dawes was sentenced to three years jail with a parole release date of February 22, 2022.