Chard father murdered his four-week-old son after night out

A father has been found guilty of murdering his four-week-old son after returning home from a night out.

Tony Bartlett, of Axminster in Devon, was convicted by a jury of shaking his son Atticus to death at home in Chard, Somerset, on 16 July 2022. The jury heard the 39-year-old had drunk up to nine pints of beer before the attack.

Atticus was taken to hospital with severe injuries to his spinal cord and ribs, but his brain damage was so severe he never regained consciousness and was never able to breathe independently again. He died seven days later.

Bartlett will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 24 July.

During the trial, jurors heard how Bartlett and his partner Evelyn Ballentyne had gone to a pub and comedy club for their first evening out since their son’s birth.

When Ballentyne returned from upstairs, she found her son looking “lifeless” and taking his last unassisted breaths.

Despite the best efforts of medical professionals and neighbours, Atticus could not be saved.

Medical experts told the court that Atticus had sustained severe internal injuries to his brain and spinal cord.

The court wad told he also had three rib fractures that could not be attributed to resuscitation efforts.

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