Tony Bartlett has been jailed for life for murdering his four-week-old son Atticus by violently shaking him after drinking more than eight pints on a night out. The 39-year-old will serve a minimum of 18 years behind bars.
Drunken rage led to fatal attack
Bristol Crown Court heard that Bartlett was “very drunk” after consuming almost nine pints at a comedy club and pub with Atticus’ mother, Evelyn Bellentyne. The couple returned home to Chard, Somerset, where Atticus was being cared for by Ms Bellentyne’s mother, Rachel Donovan, and her husband.
Charles Row KC told the court that Bartlett was left alone with Atticus for a few minutes after returning home. When the newborn would not take his bottle and brought up milk, Bartlett became frustrated.
Judge Mr Justice Cavanagh said: “In your drunken state, Atticus’s 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. You shook him very violently indeed, gripping him very tightly round his ribcage. This only lasted a few seconds or at most a minute or so. Just in that brief moment, you wanted to cause Atticus serious injury. As suddenly as you began, you stopped, your anger evaporated, and then you dozed off.”
Discovery of the attack
Ms Bellentyne discovered the aftermath when she returned downstairs. Mr Row explained: “When she returned, Atticus was lying face down across the defendant’s lap. She said ‘he’s dead, he’s not breathing’. She noted that the defendant appeared to be asleep or at least his eyes were closed. The defendant flipped Atticus over. Atticus released two gasps and appeared to be floppy and lifeless.”
Emergency services took Atticus to Musgrove Park Hospital, then to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. His brain damage was so severe he did not regain consciousness or breathe for himself. He died just before midnight on July 23, 2022. Experts concluded that the injuries were consistent with “vigorous shaking,” with rib fractures caused by “gripping and squeezing.”
Victim impact statements
In a victim personal statement, Ms Bellentyne described being left with “severe anxiety.” She said: “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. I will never see him grow up and have a family of his own. Who plans their baby’s funeral? Who goes to the chapel of rest? I had to wait 11 hours and 18 minutes for Atticus to die. It was horrendous. I was scared to go out, I was scared to stay in. I don’t enjoy any moments because I have a dead son. It is mentally and emotionally draining all the time. It is awful.”
Her mother, Mrs Donovan, told the court: “I just want one more day with Atticus. 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.”
Sentence and defence
Sentencing, Judge Cavanagh said: “I have no doubt that this terrible tragedy would not have happened if you were not so heavily intoxicated.” Nigel Power KC, representing Bartlett, said his client had previously been a “good and caring parent” and noted that there was no intention to kill or premeditation.
