Axminster father guilty of murdering four-week-old baby in Somerset
Atticus Bartlett died in hospital after collapsing at the family home in Chard
Last updated 19 hours ago
An Axminster man has been found guilty of murdering his four-week-old son by shaking him.
Atticus Bartlett died in hospital after collapsing at the family home in Chard, Somerset, on July 16 2022.
His father, 39-year-old Tony Bartlett, was convicted unanimously of murder by a jury at Bristol Crown Court today (8 July).
Bartlett had denied murder and an alternative count of manslaughter.
"Unlawful and significant force against his own son"
During the trial, it was revealed Bartlett and his partner Evelyn Ballentyne had been on their first night out since the birth of Atticus, leaving him in the care of his grandmother Rachel Donovan and her husband Andrew.
Returning home, Bartlett, who had consumed up to eight and a half pints of beer, was left to feed Atticus as Ms Ballentyne went upstairs to change.
While Ms Ballentyne was upstairs, Bartlett violently shook Atticus so hard he caused severe internal injuries to his brain and spinal cord.
The jury also heard that several of Atticus’s ribs were cracked and the attack on Atticus may have been over in seconds.
Prosecuting barrister Charles Row KC had argued that the attack was motivated by alcohol-fuelled frustration, stating: “He was killed because this defendant, drunk and frustrated, tragically used unlawful and significant force against his own son.”
After Ms Ballentyne raised the alarm, neighbours and paramedics attended the property.
Atticus was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital by ambulance and later transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
However, his brain damage was so severe that Atticus never breathed for himself again and did not regain consciousness.
He died just before midnight on July 23, 2022.
Today (8 July) the judge said: “There is only one sentence for murder, which is a life sentence.
“I have to fix a minimum sentence before the defendant can be considered for release.”
Members of Atticus’s family gasped and wept in the public gallery of courtroom two after the verdict was read out.
Bartlett, appearing by videolink from the dock at Bristol Magistrates’ Court, sobbed loudly.
The judge thanked jurors for the “care and attention” they had given the case, adding that they had served “magnificently”.
“It is clear that you have given this very important case the detailed consideration that it deserves,” he added.
He released them from jury service for the next five years.
After the hearing, Detective Superintendent Lorett Spierenburg said: “This is a devastating case in which a very young baby has lost his life as the direct result of a violent and cruel act.
“The loss of Atticus has had a profound effect on all those who loved him.
“Tony Bartlett was alone with Atticus when he suffered these catastrophic injuries and the medical evidence gathered during the investigation proves he was solely responsible for causing them, despite his claims of innocence.
“Our thoughts are very much with Atticus’s family who’ve had to endure a lengthy and complex police investigation, followed by a trial. They’ve shown great dignity and courage throughout.”
Bartlett has been remanded into custody and will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on July 24.