Dad on trial for causing "grievous bodily harm" to 4-month-old son (Bundaberg, Australia)

UNNAMED DAD was babysitting while Mom was working. 

 http://www.news-mail.com.au/story/2011/11/08/dad-shook-baby-dad-27-accused-of-shaking-infant-so/

Dad 'shook baby'Vanessa Marsh | 8th November 2011

A MAN shook his four-month-old baby so hard its brain started to bleed, a court was told yesterday.

The 27-year-old father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty in Bundaberg District Court to causing grievous bodily harm to his infant son in 2008.

Prosecutor Greg Cummings told the jury more than 20 witnesses would be called in the trial.

"You will hear (the child's mother) went to work on November 12 (2008) and when she left, (the baby) was happy and healthy," Mr Cummings said.

"By 2.30 that afternoon, he was looking unwell."

Mr Cummings said the child was taken to a Bundaberg medical centre before being sent to Bundaberg Hospital and eventually airlifted to Brisbane.

"The doctor noticed signs the (child's) intracranial pressure was at a lethal level," he said.

The prosecutor said while doctors originally suspected the pressure was caused by meningitis, tests ruled that out, leading them to believe it was an inflicted injury.

Mr Cummings said during the trial, the jurors would hear the baby's injuries showed "classic signs of a child being severely shaken".

"(One doctor) concludes the likely scenario is (the baby) suffered at least two inflicted head traumas," he said.

Mr Cummings said the many doctors set to give evidence would agree the child would have died or suffered permanent brain injuries if the pressure in his brain had not been eased.

Barrister Eoin Mac Giolla Ri said the defence was not disputing the child suffered grievous bodily harm.

"What is very much contested is whether there is any evidence that it was (the defendant) who caused or inflicted these injuries," Mr Mac Giolla Ri said.

The trial continues today before Judge Marshall Irwin.