A Somerset man has been found guilty of murdering his four-week-old son, Atticus Bartlett, by violently shaking him. The infant died after collapsing at the family home in Chard on July 16, 2022.
Tony Bartlett, 39, formerly a postman, denied the charges of murder and manslaughter throughout the trial. However, a jury at Bristol Crown Court delivered a unanimous verdict of guilty on Wednesday afternoon.
Following the conviction, Mr Justice Cavanagh remanded Bartlett into custody to await sentencing on July 24. The judge emphasized that murder carries a mandatory life sentence, and he must determine a minimum term before Bartlett can be considered for release.
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Emotional reactions filled the courtroom as members of Atticus’s family gasped and wept upon hearing the verdict. Bartlett, appearing via videolink, sobbed audibly in the dock. The judge praised the jurors for their thorough attention to the case and discharged them from service for the next five years.
The prosecution revealed that the attack likely occurred in a matter of seconds. Charles Row KC explained that Bartlett had been intoxicated and frustrated that evening. Bartlett and Atticus’s mother, Evelyn Ballentyne, had visited a pub and comedy club before returning home. During their absence, Atticus was cared for by Ballentyne’s parents.
Bartlett consumed approximately 8.5 pints of lager that night. When Ballentyne went upstairs to change, Bartlett was left alone to feed Atticus. The prosecution argued that in his impaired state, Bartlett became less patient and more prone to violent outbursts.
Within a brief period, Bartlett allegedly shook Atticus with fatal force, causing severe internal brain and spinal injuries, as well as three rib fractures that were not linked to resuscitation efforts. Ballentyne testified that upon returning downstairs, she heard Atticus gasp twice as though struggling for life.
Despite Bartlett’s claims of innocence, medical evidence confirmed he was solely responsible for the catastrophic injuries. While Ballentyne was initially arrested, she faced no charges and testified for the prosecution.
Emergency responders rushed Atticus to Musgrove Park Hospital and then to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. The extent of brain damage prevented the infant from regaining consciousness or breathing independently. Atticus passed away just before midnight on July 23, 2022.
Detective Superintendent Lorett Spierenburg described the incident as a devastating loss caused by a cruel and violent act. She acknowledged the profound impact on Atticus’s loved ones and commended the family’s dignity and resilience throughout the investigation and trial.
Tony Bartlett, from Axminster, Devon, will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on July 24.