08/12/2011
Man Jailed For Manslaughter Of Baby Son
A man has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment at the Old Bailey for the manslaughter of his 14-month-old son.
Nathan Allen, 27, of Erith Crescent, Romford, was found not guilty of the murder of young Fletcher Allen, but was jailed following an earlier plea to the lesser offence.
During the trial, the court heard police were contacted by Queens Hospital, Romford, in connection with reports of a deceased child during early January this year.
The 14-month-old boy had been brought in earlier that day and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A post-mortem examination took place on Saturday, January 8 at Great Ormond Street Hospital and gave cause of death as blunt trauma injury to the abdomen.
The exam also found historical fractures to two of the child's ribs and bruising to his face, neck and torso.
Nathan Allen was arrested in connection with the investigation and charged with murder.
Allen claimed he had left Fletcher for a moment in the bath and when he returned he was lying face down. However, the post-mortem examination showed no sign he had drowned or of any water in his airways. His injuries were most likely caused by a punch or kick.
Investigating officer Detective Inspector Colin Welsh said: "I strongly believe that Nathan Allen first seriously assaulted his son in the weeks leading up to this incident, when Fletcher suffered two broken ribs.
"On 6 January 2011, a second incident took place when Fletcher was in the sole care of his father for less than half an hour and the fatal injuries were inflicted. A vicious attack took place during which this defenceless 14-month-old baby suffered another fractured rib, trauma to both kidneys, internal bleeding and numerous bruises to his body, head and face, including what can only be described as a sadistic bite to Fletcher's face.
"He then failed to call an ambulance and get Fletcher the immediate medical help he so desperately needed.
The inspector said that faced with "overwhelming evidence against him", the defendant had at the last moment admitted to assaulting the boy.
"I am pleased that today's sentence reflects the gravity of his actions," inspector Welsh added.
(DW)
Nathan Allen, 27, of Erith Crescent, Romford, was found not guilty of the murder of young Fletcher Allen, but was jailed following an earlier plea to the lesser offence.
During the trial, the court heard police were contacted by Queens Hospital, Romford, in connection with reports of a deceased child during early January this year.
The 14-month-old boy had been brought in earlier that day and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A post-mortem examination took place on Saturday, January 8 at Great Ormond Street Hospital and gave cause of death as blunt trauma injury to the abdomen.
The exam also found historical fractures to two of the child's ribs and bruising to his face, neck and torso.
Nathan Allen was arrested in connection with the investigation and charged with murder.
Allen claimed he had left Fletcher for a moment in the bath and when he returned he was lying face down. However, the post-mortem examination showed no sign he had drowned or of any water in his airways. His injuries were most likely caused by a punch or kick.
Investigating officer Detective Inspector Colin Welsh said: "I strongly believe that Nathan Allen first seriously assaulted his son in the weeks leading up to this incident, when Fletcher suffered two broken ribs.
"On 6 January 2011, a second incident took place when Fletcher was in the sole care of his father for less than half an hour and the fatal injuries were inflicted. A vicious attack took place during which this defenceless 14-month-old baby suffered another fractured rib, trauma to both kidneys, internal bleeding and numerous bruises to his body, head and face, including what can only be described as a sadistic bite to Fletcher's face.
"He then failed to call an ambulance and get Fletcher the immediate medical help he so desperately needed.
The inspector said that faced with "overwhelming evidence against him", the defendant had at the last moment admitted to assaulting the boy.
"I am pleased that today's sentence reflects the gravity of his actions," inspector Welsh added.
(DW)
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