Somerset Father Found Guilty of Murdering Four-Week-Old Son by Shaking

A Somerset father has been convicted of murdering his four-week-old son, Atticus Bartlett, by violently shaking him, leading to fatal brain and spinal injuries.

Atticus tragically died in hospital after collapsing at his family home in Chard on July 16, 2022. His father, 39-year-old Tony Bartlett, denied the charges of murder and manslaughter but was unanimously found guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court.

Judge Mr Justice Cavanagh remanded Bartlett into custody and scheduled sentencing for July 24, emphasizing that murder carries a mandatory life sentence with a minimum term to be set before parole eligibility. The courtroom was filled with visible grief from Atticus’s family as the verdict was delivered; Bartlett, attending by videolink, broke down in tears.

Prosecutor Charles Row KC revealed that Bartlett, intoxicated after consuming 8.5 pints of lager earlier that evening, attacked Atticus during a brief moment when the baby’s mother, Evelyn Ballentyne, had stepped upstairs. The violent shaking caused severe internal injuries and three rib fractures to the infant. The trauma was attributed solely to Bartlett’s actions.

During the trial, Bartlett maintained his innocence, while his defense suggested the mother could have been responsible for the injuries. However, Ms. Ballentyne, who was initially arrested but not charged, testified for the prosecution. Emergency responders rushed Atticus to Musgrove Park Hospital and later transferred him to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, but he never regained consciousness and died just before midnight on July 23, 2022.

Detective Superintendent Lorett Spierenburg described the case as heartbreaking and praised the family for their courage during the investigation and trial, stating that the evidence conclusively proved Bartlett’s sole responsibility for the fatal injuries.

Tony Bartlett, originally from Axminster, Devon, will receive his sentence in late July.