A couple accused of murdering their premature infant in a special care unit at Yeovil District Hospital have denied causing any harm. Baby Brendon Staddon, born at 33 weeks and weighing 1.83kg, tragically died after sustaining severe injuries while under hospital care on March 5 last year.
The baby’s parents, 27-year-old Daniel Gunter and 23-year-old Sophie Staddon, face charges including murder and causing or allowing the death of their two-week-old son. Nurses discovered Brendon’s critical injuries, involving his head, neck, legs, and jaw, after Sophie reported her baby felt cold and unwell.
Emergency staff attempted resuscitation when the baby was found unresponsive, but Brendon was pronounced dead at 4:59 a.m. Bristol Crown Court heard from the parents’ interviews with police following their arrests.
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Sophie Staddon recounted waking to Daniel urging her to alert nurses about Brendon’s condition. “I felt him—he was cold. I told the nurses. They saw he was blue,” she said, describing her distress. “I loved him and would never have harmed him.”
Daniel Gunter also expressed shock over the accusations, stating, “That kid was my world, I would do anything for him.” In his police statement, he described checking on Brendon around 3 a.m., finding him cold and pale, and immediately seeking medical help.
Both parents denied inflicting injuries, maintaining they remained by Brendon’s side throughout the night.
A post-mortem revealed Brendon died from blunt force head trauma coupled with multiple non-accidental injuries. Prosecutors described his bruises as widespread, covering his face, scalp, chest, abdomen, shoulders, hands, legs, and feet.
The court also heard about the parents' tumultuous relationship, including past allegations of violence. Social services had previously warned that authorities intended to remove Brendon from their care after his birth.
Gunter and Staddon, who currently have no fixed address, plead not guilty to all charges. The trial is ongoing.