A YORK man has been jailed for three-and-a-half years for attacking a six-week-old baby and brandishing a knife at a woman.

Gareth Sean Harley, 23, was sentenced yesterday, having pleased guilty to the charges.

He injured the baby in December 2012. Authorities discovered four days before Christmas that the girl had suffered serious inflicted injuries, including several fractured ribs.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said yesterday: "Police and partner agencies responded to the incident effectively which secured the conviction of Harley and the long-term safeguarding of the child who has since made a full recovery."

In a separate incident on 27 March this year, Harley threatened a woman while wielding a knife.

Speaking after yesterday's hearing at York Crown Court, police welcomed the sentence and praised all the other organisations involved in bringing Harley to justice.

Detective Constable Theresa Wright, of North Yorkshire Police’s Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit, who led the investigation, said: “This case is a good example of how cohesively local partner agencies combine their experience and skills to safeguard the vulnerable and prosecute those responsible for such inexcusable and sickening acts of violence.

“I would like to pay tribute to the NSPCC, health care professionals and social services who all played pivotal roles in this case, and also to the often-unseen but invaluable support of volunteer foster carers who provide safety and stability for those children who have no voice at their time of crisis.”