Dad gets 9 years for attack on infant son; baby has permanent brain damage, disabilities (Leeds, England, United Kingdom)

Dad CHRISTOPHER SOUTH has been jailed for 9 years in the horrific attack on his infant son. Daddy tried to blame Mom and his other child, then finally admitted that shook the baby and banged his head on the floor. Why? The baby wasn't even crying, so this dipsh** doesn't even have that as an "excuse." And it appears that this wasn't the first time Daddy attacked the baby either. All his defense attorney can say is that he is "hard working." Well, that covers most of us, Luv. So what?

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Dad-gets-nine-years-for.6580633.jp

Dad gets nine years for baby attack

Thursday, 14th October 2010
Published Date: 14 October 2010
By Tony Gardner

A baby has been left with brain damage and other permanent disabilities after being subjected to horrific physical abuse by his father.

Christopher South was jailed for nine years yesterday by a judge who described the case as one of the worst he had ever come across.

Baby Thomas had his skull fractured and suffered 13 breaks to bones in his body which doctors said were similar to those suffered by car crash victims.

His injuries have left him almost blind, and suffering from hearing loss, epilepsy and cerebral palsy and he will be under the care of therapists for many years.

"Self-centred" South, 22, failed to get medical help for his son despite knowing he had caused him grave injuries, Leeds Crown Court heard.

When his horrendous abuse came to light he then tried to blame his older infant son and also the baby's mother, Amy Kendall.

The court heard South, 22, inflicted the injuries on his son between October 31 last year and February 7, when he was five-and-a-half months old.

Tina Dempster, prosecuting, said South had been left in charge when the boy's mother went for a driving lesson on February 7. When she returned to their home in Wakefield she notice bruising on the baby's face and chest.

The next morning she took him to Pinderfield's Hospital. While he was being treated he stopped breathing and had to be put on a ventilator in the intensive care unit.

Doctors found bruises all over Thomas's head, body, arms and legs. X-rays revealed a skull fracture and swelling to the brain as well as injuries to his spine and retinas.

Miss Dempster said the injuries were consistent with a shaking assault.

Older injuries were then found and were consistent with him being shaken. They also found nine fractured ribs, a fractured thigh bone and arm. After his arrest South initially claimed he could not explain how the injuries were caused.

He later admitted shaking him, banging his head on the floor and holding him tightly around the rib cage. He said Thomas had not been distressed or crying but it had "just happened".

South, of Ebor Terrace, Beeston, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent, grievous bodily harm and cruelty to a child.

Richard Reed, mitigating, said South felt genuine remorse. He described him as a hard working man who was struggling to cope with working long hours and a family.