Tony Bartlett, 39, was found guilty of murder after he violently shook his four-week-old son Atticus to death following a night out where he consumed nearly nine pints of alcohol. The incident occurred at the family home in Chard, Somerset, after Bartlett returned from a comedy club and pub with Atticus's mother, Evelyn Bellentyne.
Court Details
Bristol Crown Court heard that Bartlett was left alone with Atticus for only a few minutes after the couple returned home. During that time, he became frustrated when the newborn refused to take his bottle and began regurgitating milk. Judge Mr Justice Cavanagh stated: "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."
The judge added that Bartlett shook the baby very violently, gripping him tightly around the ribcage for a few seconds or at most a minute. "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," the judge said.
Discovery and Aftermath
Ms Bellentyne discovered Atticus lying face down across Bartlett's lap when she returned downstairs. She said, "he's dead, he's not breathing." Emergency services took Atticus to Musgrove Park Hospital and later to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, but his brain damage was so severe that he never regained consciousness. He died just before midnight on July 23, 2022.
Experts concluded that Atticus suffered serious injuries associated with vigorous shaking, and his rib fractures were caused by gripping and squeezing during the attack.
Victim Impact Statements
In a victim personal statement, Ms Bellentyne described suffering from severe anxiety after Atticus's death. "I will never know what kind of person Atticus would have become," she said. "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."
Her mother, Rachel Donovan, told the court she wondered what Atticus would look like now and what toys he would like. "I just want one more day with Atticus," she said. "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
Former postman Bartlett was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years. 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" to his son, and noted that this was not a case of intention to kill or premeditation.
