A young father has been handed a life sentence with a minimum of 18 years for the horrific murder of his six-week-old premature son, whose crying interrupted his video game session.
Michael James Davis, 22, showed no emotion as the judge delivered the verdict at Manchester Crown Court for what was described as a "sustained and brutal attack" on his vulnerable infant son, Mikey.
A Life Cut Tragically Short
The court heard how Davis became enraged when his premature baby's crying disturbed his PlayStation gaming session at their home in Salford. Instead of comforting the child, Davis subjected the infant to catastrophic injuries that proved fatal.
Mikey, born 10 weeks early and weighing just 4lb 5oz, had been making good progress despite his difficult start to life. Tragically, he never stood a chance against his father's violent outburst.
Disturbing Evidence Revealed
Medical experts testified that the baby suffered multiple rib fractures, severe brain damage, and spinal injuries consistent with being violently shaken and thrown. The injuries were so severe that doctors compared them to those seen in high-speed car crashes.
Prosecutor Michael Hayton KC told the court: "This was not a momentary loss of temper but a sustained assault on a helpless baby who was vulnerable due to his prematurity."
A Mother's Heartbreaking Testimony
The baby's mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, described finding her son lifeless and blue. In a victim impact statement, she said: "I'll never understand how someone could hurt such a tiny, defenceless baby. Mikey was so small and fragile - he needed protection, not violence."
She added that Davis had initially claimed the baby had simply stopped breathing, but medical evidence quickly exposed his lies.
Justice Served
Judge Nicholas Dean KC told Davis: "You are a dangerous offender who presents a significant risk of serious harm to others. Your actions were brutal and cruel, ending a life that had only just begun."
Greater Manchester Police confirmed this case as one of the most distressing child abuse investigations they've encountered, highlighting the vulnerability of premature infants and the devastating consequences of uncontrolled anger.
