Thug punched 5-day-old baby girl in the face in Tesco then said ‘sorry I thought it was a doll’

The family nipped into Tesco where they met a neighbour who came over to look at the baby.

Amy told the Manchester Evening News: “Our neighbour then saw one of her work colleagues who was with her husband and said, ‘Aww come and have a look at this lovely baby’.

“The next thing he ran over and punched Elsie Rose in the face leaving a very big fist mark shape across her forehead.

“We were mortified. My daughter was screaming thinking he had killed the baby.

“He then just apologised and said ‘sorry I thought it was a doll.”

The family alerted security at the supermarket and Elsie Rose was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital where she was monitored overnight before being allowed home today.

Amy, a full-time mum who lives in Brooklands, said: “She was quite sickly and sleepy last night but at least she is home now.

“I just can not believe it happened and neither can anyone I tell. Strangers were even hugging me at the hospital when I told them about it.

“It has really put me off taking her out again though.”

Amy posted the traumatic experience on Facebook, praising staff at Tesco for the way they handled the situation.

She wrote: “Thank you so much to Baguley Tesco for all you did tonight, you were all amazing thank you so much for the way you dealt with the situation and treated us all.”

Greater Manchester Police said: “A man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a baby.

“Police were called shortly before 6.45pm to a supermarket on Altrincham Road in Baguley on Monday to reports of a child having been hit.

“The baby girl was taken to hospital as a precaution and has since been discharged.

“A 63-year-old was arrested on suspicion of assault and is currently in custody being questioned by officers.”