Dad who murdered four-week-old son jailed for 18 years

A man who murdered his four-week-old son after drinking up to nine pints of beer on a night out has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years.

Tony Bartlett returned to the family home in Chard, Somerset, on 16 July 2022 and shook baby Atticus in what the sentencing judge described as "a sudden fit of anger".

The 39-year-old caused serious injuries to his son's spinal cord and ribs, as well as brain damage so severe he never regained consciousness or the ability to breathe independently. Atticus died seven days later.

Bartlett, who was convicted after a trial at Bristol Crown Court earlier this month, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years.

Warning: This story contains details which readers may find distressing.

The trial heard the former postman, from Axminster in Devon, had gone to a pub and comedy club with his then-partner Evelyn Ballentyne on the night Atticus was fatally injured.

It was their first evening out since their son's birth.

After they returned home, Ballentyne went upstairs and left Bartlett alone to feed Atticus.

The court heard she then found Atticus looking "lifeless" when she returned, and Bartlett appeared to be asleep.

Emergency services took the baby to Musgrove Park hospital in Taunton before he was transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, where he died seven days later.

Medical experts told the court Atticus' injuries were consistent with a car crash or a fall from a height.

The newborn suffered severe internal injuries to his brain and spinal cord, as well as three rib fractures that could not be attributed to resuscitation efforts.

Mr Justice John Cavanagh told Bartlett he was "very drunk" when he carried out the fatal attack on Atticus, becoming frustrated when the baby would not feed.

"I have no doubt that this terrible tragedy would not have happened if you were not so heavily intoxicated," the judge said.

"In your drunken state, Atticus' inability to take the bottle as well as you thought he should enraged you.

"You had a sudden fit of anger. You vented that anger on your tiny baby son.

"As suddenly as you began, you stopped, your anger evaporated, and then you dozed off."

The judge recognised how traumatic Atticus' death had been for his family, adding: "His life was ended before it really began. He was very much loved and cherished during his very short life."

In a victim personal statement, Evelyn Ballentyne described how she was forced to wait 11 hours and 18 minutes for her son to die, before having to plan his funeral.

"It is not a natural order. I'm not supposed to bury my son," she told the court.

"I will never know what kind of person Atticus would have become.

"I will never see him hit milestones. I will never see him go to school or grow up and have a family of his own."

She added: "I don't enjoy any moments because I have a dead son. It is mentally and emotionally draining all the time."

Ballentyne added she had been left with "severe anxiety" and trust issues following her son's death.

Her mother, Rachel Donovan, who looked after the baby while his parents were out on the evening of his death, told the court how she longed for "one more day with Atticus".

"The first time we met Atticus we were full of joy, we were so happy," she said.

"The last time we saw Atticus we couldn't believe it was the last time.

"I'm glad I had Atticus that night. He was loved and cuddled and had a lovely night with us. I just hope and pray he never knew what happened to him."

In a statement, Det Sgt Sarah Bowden from Avon and Somerset Police commended Atticus' family for their "great dignity and courage" throughout a "harrowing" trial.

"This is a devastating case in which a very young baby has lost his life as the direct result of a cruel act by a man who was supposed to provide him with the protection and care he needed," she said.

"Bartlett was alone with Atticus when he suffered these injuries, and the medical evidence gathered during the investigation proves he was solely responsible for causing them - despite his claims of innocence."

Representing Bartlett, Nigel Power KC said his client had previously been a "good and caring parent" to his son.

"This is not a case where there is intention to kill or premeditation," he added.

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