Tony Bartlett, 39, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 18 years for the murder of his four-week-old son, Atticus Bartlett. The infant died in July 2022 after Bartlett violently shook him in a fit of rage when the baby would not drink his milk. Bartlett was heavily intoxicated at the time of the attack.
Atticus collapsed at the family home in Chard, Somerset, on July 16, 2022, suffering severe internal injuries to his brain and spinal cord. He died five days later, on July 23, 2022, at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. A court heard that Bartlett had consumed eight and a half pints of lager before returning home.
According to the prosecution, Bartlett was left alone with Atticus for a few minutes to feed him. When the baby struggled to take the bottle, Bartlett became enraged and shook him violently, gripping him tightly around the ribcage. The attack lasted only a few seconds or a minute. Afterward, Bartlett dozed off.
Atticus's mother, Evelyn Ballentyne, found the baby lying face down across Bartlett's lap, described as "floppy and lifeless." Medical experts confirmed that Atticus's injuries were consistent with vigorous shaking and squeezing.
During sentencing at Bristol Crown Court, Mr. Justice Cavanagh stated that Bartlett did not intend to kill Atticus but intended to cause him serious harm. The judge noted that Bartlett, formerly a postman, had been a loving parent but had a history of a "fiery temper." The court highlighted the extreme youth and vulnerability of the victim and the gross abuse of trust involved.
In a victim personal statement, Ms. Ballentyne described the profound grief and anxiety following Atticus's death. She spoke of the pain of planning her baby's funeral and waiting for him to die. Atticus's maternal grandmother also shared her sorrow, expressing a wish for one more day with her grandson and hoping he did not suffer.