THE jury in the trial of a man accused of mistreating a boy by breaking wind in his face and sucking his eye will reconvene on Tuesday to continue its deliberations.
Judge Tony Briggs sent home the panel of eight men and three women after it had considered the evidence in the case of Gary McKenzie, 22, for four hours.
McKenzie, of Beaumont Hill, Darlington, denies four cruelty charges and has been on trial at Teesside Crown Court for four days.
It is also alleged that the roofer punched the youngster in the arm, and smothered another child with a pillow during a game of "breathe".
McKenzie told the jury during his evidence that he would never intentionally hurt a child, and said only someone "sick or weird" would do what is alleged.
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