A man who murdered his four-week-old son after drinking up to nine pints of beer on a night out has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years.
Tony Bartlett returned to the family home in Chard, Somerset, on 16 July 2022 and shook baby Atticus.
The 39-year-old caused serious injuries to his son’s spinal cord and ribs, as well as brain damage so severe he never regained consciousness or the ability to breathe independently. Atticus died seven days later.
Bartlett, who was convicted after a trial at Bristol Crown Court earlier this month, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years.
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The trial heard the former postman, from Axminster in Devon, had gone to a pub and comedy club with his then-partner Evelyn Ballentyne on the night Attitcus was fatally injured.
It was their first evening out since their son’s birth.
After they returned home, Ballentyne went upstairs and left Bartlett alone to feed Atticus.
The court heard she then found Atticus looking “lifeless” when she returned.
Emergency services took the baby to Musgrove Park hospital in Taunton before he was transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, where he died seven days later.
Medical experts told the court Atticus’ injuries were consistent with a car crash or a fall from a height.
The newborn suffered severe internal injuries to his brain and spinal cord, as well as three rib fractures that could not be attributed to resuscitation efforts.
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