A 33-year-old man has avoided jail time after causing "life-changing" injuries to his infant daughter in what a court described as a "baby-shaking" incident. The defendant was sentenced on Tuesday at Belfast Crown Court for causing grievous bodily harm to his then three-week-old daughter on December 30, 2017.
He received a sentence of two years and 10 months, suspended for four years. The court heard that the man, who cannot be identified to protect his now eight-year-old daughter's identity, was the sole caregiver for the infant when she sustained her injuries. However, he has not provided an explanation for how the harm occurred.
Following the incident, the baby was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children, where medical assessments revealed bleeding on her brain. A medical team concluded that the infant had suffered an acute traumatic head injury, most likely caused by the repetitive forward and backward movement of her unsupported head.
The defendant was subsequently arrested and questioned by police. He denied shaking the baby or becoming frustrated during nappy changes in multiple interviews. The prosecution stated that the injuries were consistent with an episode of shaking.
Crown barrister Rosemary Walsh KC highlighted the long-term impact on the child, who is non-verbal, has significant mobility issues, requires assistance with daily tasks such as washing and eating, and continues to experience seizures. The child's mother confirmed the father's ongoing involvement and responsibility in their daughter's life.
The court acknowledged delays in the case, attributing them to the complexity and challenges in obtaining appropriate medical evidence. The defendant's daughter is now eight years old. The court was presented with confirmation from the child's mother regarding the ex-partner's contact with their daughter and the emotional and financial support he provides as a father.