Father shook baby daughter so hard it left her blind and with cerebral palsy – Cornwall Live

A father shook his four-month-old daughter with such force she suffered multiple bleeds on the brain and detached retinas. The baby has been left blind and with cerebral palsy as a result of the cruel actions of her biological father.

The man in his 20s, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence after admitting one count of causing grievous bodily harm, an offence that occurred in west Cornwall in August 2018.

Opening the case for the CPS, Michael Brown described how the defendant met his then-wife at the beginning of 2018 and the following year their daughter was born.

Neighbours reported hearing shouting from the address and noted that, although the mother and baby had a strong bond, there were concerns over the defendants drug and alcohol consumption.

On the night in question, later in 2018, the babys mother went to work and when she got home she checked her daughter.

She found her with her eyes closed so presumed she was sleeping and went to bed. At 2am and 5am the mother was awoken by the baby crying. The following morning the childs grandmother came around and together they noticed how she had a limp head and was not moving her arms and legs.

The defendant, the childs mother and grandmother then went to the hospital. An experienced medical professional described how as the child was struggling to breath and her pupils were dilated. He thought that she was going to die.

She was then rushed to Royal Cornwall Hospital before being airlifted to Bristol Childrens Hospital where the young victim was treated for several weeks.

The victim was found to have multiple bleeds on the brain and detached retinas.

Mr Brown said: The combination of injuries were indicative of abusive head trauma with shaking the most likely mechanism.

The defendant denied injuring his daughter until he disclosed his actions to a legal representative at a later family hearing.

The child was eventually released from hospital into foster care before being reunited with her mother, who attended the court hearing and read an impact statement to Judge Robert Linford.

In mitigation, solicitor Robin Smith briefly pointed out that the defendant entered a guilty plea and had his own issues at the time of the shaking, before adding that they didnt cause the defendant to do what he did.

Sentencing the defendant, Judge Linford said: In 2018 in circumstances you have not disclosed shook your natural four-month-old daughter.

When she was taken to hospital it was quite clear from medical reports that they were presented with a non-accidental injury.

Its a miracle she did not die but she is now blind and has cerebral palsy, all because you shook her.

Judge Linford then detailed how the defendants failure to disclose what happened when those treating his daughter required all the information they could get prevented her from receiving the most effective care.

He added: You withheld the information and did so because you were scared. At this most crucial of times you were more concerned for your future than the health of your own child. You were caring for her. Your daughter should have been safe but was not.

Restricted by the sentencing guidelines for GBH, Judge Linford passed a prison sentence of 32 months.

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Father shook baby daughter so hard it left her blind and with cerebral palsy - Cornwall Live