Connor Curley – Lanarkshire

A man who assaulted three young children, including a baby, during a series of violent incidents has avoided a prison sentence after being convicted at court.

Connor Curley, 28, from Wishaw, Lanarkshire, was found guilty of three assault charges relating to attacks on girls aged between one month and two years old.

The offences took place at a property in Motherwell between September 2021 and November 2023.

The court heard that Curley repeatedly lost his temper and carried out physical assaults on the children. The charges included allegations that he handled a baby girl roughly, including dropping her onto a couch, removing medical tape from her head, lifting her from her cot and striking her body.

The court also heard that a two-year-old girl was assaulted, including being struck, dragged along the ground and thrown onto a bed. A one-year-old girl was also subjected to physical attacks.

Curley denied the allegations but was convicted by a jury at Hamilton Sheriff Court following a trial.

Depute fiscal Robbie McDougall told the court that the evidence showed Curley struggled to control his temper and that when he became angry, he lashed out even when vulnerable young children were present.

Defence advocate Kevin Jarvis argued that a custodial sentence would have a significant impact on Curley’s physical and mental health, and said his focus was on improving his lifestyle.

Sheriff John Hamilton KC sentenced Curley to a community-based order lasting one year and imposed a four-year restriction preventing him from approaching the children.

The sheriff warned that any breach of the order could result in the case returning to court and a possible prison sentence, given the seriousness of the offences involving very young children.

Curley had previously faced trial over the allegations in November, but proceedings collapsed and a new trial was ordered.