Boxer who hit child 'didn't know his own strength'

A boxer jailed for repeatedly smacking a child did not know his own strength, a court heard.

Scott Reynolds, 38, accepted striking the child three times.

He told police he was upset on 16 August because he believed the child had drowned two puppies.

Reynolds, of Salem Street, Gosberton, near Spalding, pleaded guilty to child cruelty and was jailed for 36 weeks at Lincoln Crown Court.

Stuart Lody, prosecuting, said Reynolds had initially disputed causing bruising to the child's buttocks, as depicted in photographs.

The court heard Reynolds is a trained boxer who occasionally did not appreciate his own strength.

Mr Lody said Reynolds was not a carer for the child.

In mitigation, Anna Soubry said her client was shocked by injuries, adding he had not intended to cause such injuries.

"He is very sorry," she added.

Miss Soubry said Reynolds had spent a number of weeks in custody.

Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Reynolds the matter passed the custodial threshold.

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