A REFUSE collector faces a “substantial period of imprisonment” after being convicted today of feeding a toddler 16 painkillers and slapping her hard across the face.

A jury of nine women and three men took just under two hours to find 21-year-old Gary MacManus guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm and administering a noxious thing so as to endanger life.

He had denied both charges, as well as two alternative offences of administering a noxious thing with intent to injure and cruelty to a child by wilfully ill-treating her.

MacManus showed no emotion as the verdicts were read out at Maidstone Crown Court.

Sentencing was adjourned for both probation and psychiatric reports.

MacManus, of Carpeaux Close, Chatham, is said to suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The court heard that he was looking after the girl in November 2003 when she fell ill. She vomited several times and complained her stomach hurt.

By the time she was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital she was said to be drowsy and unresponsive. Doctors noticed red marks and bruising to her left cheek and ear.

The jury was told that the injuries had not been caused accidentally and the prosecution said it was “unbelievable” to suggest that the child had removed all the tablets from their pack and fed them to herself.

Police later recovered the empty pill box as well as the instruction leaflet. Both were analysed and found to have only adult fingerprints on them.

An expert concluded that without treatment the girl could have died from the overdose.

Home Office pathologist David Rouse said the likely cause of the marks on the face was a hard slap.

MacManus, who was originally arrested for attempted murder, maintained during his evidence that he had not mistreated the girl. He said she must have taken the paracetamol from a kitchen drawer, believing they were sweets. MacManus added that he did not know how she suffered the injury to her face.

Asked if he could explain how she had taken so much paracetamol, MacManus told the court: “I can’t explain it. I didn’t give it to her. I didn’t force her to take it.”

Sentencing was adjourned until April 8. Remanding MacManus in custody Deputy Judge David Croft QC said: “He must know that a substantial period of imprisonment will be imposed unless there is a Mental Health Act disposal.”