A sentence of nine years imprisonment for intentionally doing grievous bodily harm to an 18-month-old child by a 22-year-old mother with no relevant criminal history, who pleaded guilty and whose admissions proved the element of intent, was manifestly excessive. Six years imprisonment was the appropriate sentence. Comparable manslaughter authorities involving child victims (sentences of six to eight years) remain relevant benchmarks even for grievous bodily harm with intent, given the same maximum penalty and the graver consequences of manslaughter.
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