A MAN who broke a nine-month-old baby’s leg while he was supposed to be caring for the child has been sent to prison for a year.

Salisbury Crown Court heard on Friday that Christopher Richard Bowden, 24, of Archers Way, Amesbury was looking after the baby in December 2011 when the injury occurred.

He admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

The court heard he was “extremely remorseful and of good character and had been a “very immature man” at the time of the incident.

But Judge Andrew Barnett said: “We owe a duty to those who are helpless and vulnerable, such as children. I would be failing in my duty if I didn’t impose an immediate custodial sentence.”