Ernest Oakley, of Swanton Road, Norwich, has been jailed for 14 months for assaulting his four-week-old baby son. He was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday, 30 September, after previously pleading guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.
Baby taken to hospital with head injury
The court heard how in November 2023 Oakley took the baby, who was 26 days old, to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital claiming another young child had accidentally kicked him in the head while he was on the sofa.
When the baby subsequently became unwell, he was transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where doctors raised concerns to police about Oakley's account.
Arrest and admission
Oakley was arrested on 29 November 2023 and after a detailed investigation to establish how the baby was injured, was charged in April 2024. He continued to deny his involvement, but when a trial date was set he changed his plea and admitted he had lashed out while drunk at someone who was holding the baby, and in doing so inadvertently struck the baby.
Sentencing Oakley, Judge Katharine Moore said: "You have assaulted your 26 day old son, having lashed out (at someone else) in temper, whilst drunk. Your infant son, albeit not intended but through recklessness, was struck also - causing an elevated area to the right-hand side of his head."
Police comment
Following sentencing, Detective Constable Rachel Woods from Norfolk Police's Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: "This was an especially upsetting case, where a tiny baby was injured. Our team is dedicated to protecting children of all ages and will continue to bring those who seek to harm them before the courts."
