A LEDBURY couple have been jailed after a 15-month-old baby sustained multiple fractures and had one of its toenails pulled out.

Madison Ricketts-Devereux, 22, of Poplar Close, Ledbury, was the mother of the child while her partner, Craig Sayers, 32, was also charged in connection with the injuries.

The court heard that Ricketts-Devereux's 15-month-old daughter had come to the attention of authorities in January 2017 after she was taken to hospital by her mother because she was unable to raise her arm.

On examination, it was found she had suffered injuries including a pulled out toenail and fractures to her arms and fingers.

Ricketts-Devereux and Sayers appeared before Recorder Martin Jackson at Hereford Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday after they were convicted by a jury of causing Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm with intent.

In mitigation, the court heard that Sayers had gone through his early life without offending and had been a man of 'good character' until he was 31-years-old.

"The shame of this conviction weighs heavily on him," said Christopher Millington, defending.

Mother-of-two, Ricketts-Devereux, was described as immature, damaged and vulnerable.

"She suffered some very serious experiences in her childhood and this brought about some very disturbed behaviour as a young teen," Mr Millington said.

"This baby had not suffered any injuries before her relationship with Craig Sayers. What impact did their relationship have upon the mother?"

Sentencing Ricketts-Devereux and Sayers, Recorder Jackson told the court that, in January 2017, the child suffered a fractured humerus, fractures to two fingers while one of her toe nails had been pulled off.

She also had a fractured left ulna and radius, likely to have been caused by hitting her arm against a bar with force, and there was a delay in seeking medical attention.

"Madison Ricketts-Devereux, you were the only person with the opportunity to cause the damage to the right arm,” the judge said.

"Regarding count one, Craig Sayers you went into the room and caused injuries to the left arm and toe.

"This was a vulnerable victim and there was an element of sustained assault.

"There are aggravating features as you were on bail at the time for another case of violence. You had breached trust as you had been trusted to settle the child.

"The nature of the injuries is also an aggravating factor, as was the fact that the injuries were caused at her home.

"I do not think that your previous good character is a mitigating factor. You were old enough to know better.

"Madison Ricketts-Devereaux, your immaturity is a mitigating factor, however, you still caused injuries to your child.

He jailed Sayers, of Edgeworth Close, Worcester, for nine years and Ricketts-Devereux for six years.