A mum is calling for tougher child cruelty sentences after her ex-partner was sent to prison for just a year for injuring their baby.

Daniel Baker, from Canterbury, broke his little girl’s leg in two places in a “flash of rage” and pushed a dummy into her mouth so hard it snapped a fold of skin tissue beneath her tongue.

Miss Hirst wants to see tougher sentences for child abusers

With no explanation of how her injuries had been sustained, social services were forced to take the baby, and her 13-month-old brother, into temporary care.

Baker, 24, initially denied causing the injuries, but later confessed to the girl’s mum, Poppy Hirst, who alerted authorities.

Last month, Baker, of Warwick Road, was jailed for one year for what a judge described as the “cruel and shocking mistreatment of a tiny, defenceless baby”.

Miss Hirst says she has since been informed by the probation service that Baker could be eligible for release on tag within just three months.

The mum is now campaigning for tougher sentences to help deter, and better deal with those convicted of harming children.

“This is not justice,” said Miss Hirst, whose daughter - now three - is still unable to talk properly and is awaiting speech therapy.

“A change needs to be made now to keep these monsters who prey on children off the streets.”

Baker was convicted of wounding and actual bodily harm, after pleading guilty to both offences. The maximum sentence for ABH is five years in prison.

“My (daughter) was failed by the justice system and her abuser could walk free in just three months," said Miss Hirst.

“It’s absolutely disgusting.

“Disgusting people are preying on defenceless children because they know there’s no reasonable justice system in place.

“I just want to do whatever I can, to get higher sentences for these people. People are doing it because they know nothing’s going to come of it.”

Miss Hirst has launched a petition calling for stricter sentences, which has already garnered about 200 signatures.

Paula Hudgell, whose adopted son Tony had to undergo a double leg amputation following horrific physical abuse inflicted by his birth parents who previously lived in Canterbury, is also keen to see a change in the law.

Under UK law, the maximum sentence for child cruelty offences is 10 years.

Crimes such as grievous bodily harm carry far longer maximum sentences, and also apply to assaults on children.

But where there is insufficient evidence to prove such a crime, offenders may be prosecuted under a child cruelty offence which carries a lesser sentence, in order to achieve a conviction.

Mrs Hudgell, from Kings Hill, hopes to see a maximum life sentence introduced for child cruelty offences.

“We also need a child cruelty register, very very similar to the sex offenders register,” she said.

“There also needs to be a lot more work in preventing these cases from happening.

“Social services is at breaking point, and they need more help to protect these children.

“If there was more of a deterrent with these sentences, maybe people would think again.”

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield is set to meet with Miss Hirst to discuss her petition.

She said: “I was deeply upset to read about what happened to (Miss Hirst’s daughter), and shocked to hear the very lenient sentence given to the man who was capable of causing such cruel damage to her.

“I look forward to discussing how we may be able to highlight this issue in Parliament.”

Responding to the calls for a change in sentencing, a Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “This was a terrible crime and our thoughts remain with Miss Hirst and her daughter.

“All children should grow up in an environment that ensures their safety and happiness and does not leave them open to cruelty, neglect or violence.

“Those who engage in child cruelty can already be prosecuted under existing offences which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.”

Watch KMTV's report on Poppy's call for immediate changes to the justice system

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