A father has been found guilty of murdering his four-week-old son after returning home from a night out and violently shaking the baby.
Tony Bartlett was convicted of causing the fatal injuries to his son, Atticus, after a jury heard he had drunk up to nine pints of beer before the attack.
The four-week-old suffered catastrophic brain and spinal injuries, as well as broken ribs, and died seven days later having never regained consciousness.
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Bartlett, 39, was told by the judge to expect a life sentence when he appears at Bristol Crown Court on 24 July, as reported by Need To Know.
Jurors heard Bartlett and his then-partner, Evelyn Ballentyne, had gone to a pub and a comedy club for their first evening out since Atticus was born.
After returning to their home in Chard, Somerset, Ballentyne went upstairs while Bartlett stayed downstairs alone to feed their son.
The court heard she later returned to find Atticus looking “lifeless”.
Giving evidence, Ballentyne described hearing her son make two loud gasps “as if he was dying”.
Emergency services attended the property before Atticus was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital and later transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
Despite the best efforts of medical professionals and neighbours, Atticus could not be saved.
He sadly died a week later.
During the trial, Bartlett, formerly a postman and now of Axminster, Devon, denied harming his son.
His legal team suggested Ballentyne could have caused the fatal injuries.
She was initially arrested alongside Bartlett but was never charged and later gave evidence for the prosecution.
Medical experts told the court Atticus had suffered severe internal injuries to his brain and spinal cord, along with three fractured ribs that could not be explained by attempts to resuscitate him.
Jurors heard the attack may have lasted only seconds but left the baby with injuries consistent with those seen in a car crash or a fall from height.
Members of Atticus’ family gasped and wept in the public gallery as the guilty verdict was delivered.
Bartlett, who appeared via videolink, sobbed loudly.
The judge thanked jurors for the care and attention they had given the case before excusing them from jury service for the next five years.
Speaking after the verdict, senior investigating officer Det Supt Lorett Spierenburg said: “This is a devastating case in which a very young baby has lost his life as the direct result of a violent and cruel act.
“The loss of Atticus has had a profound effect on all those who loved him.
“Tony Bartlett was alone with Atticus when he suffered these catastrophic injuries and the medical evidence gathered during the investigation proves he was solely responsible for causing them, despite his claims of innocence.
“Our thoughts are very much with Atticus’ family who’ve had to endure a lengthy and complex police investigation, followed by a trial.
“They’ve shown great dignity and courage throughout.
“Investigations like this are extremely harrowing and I’d like to thank all those who provided evidence and supported our investigation to establish the facts behind Atticus’ tragic death.”
Bartlett will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday 24 July.
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