A father killed his four-week-old baby by shaking him in a moment of 'pure violence', a jury has heard. Atticus Bartlett died in hospital after collapsing at his family home in Chard, Somerset, on July 16, 2022. His father, Tony Bartlett, 39, is on trial at Bristol Crown Court charged with murder and manslaughter.
Prosecution Closing Speech
Prosecution barrister Charles Row KC gave his closing speech in the case on Thursday afternoon. Mr Row told jurors that the fatal attack on Atticus by Bartlett, a postman, may have been 'over in seconds'.
'He was killed because this defendant, drunk and frustrated, tragically used unlawful and significant force against his own son,' Mr Row said. 'This isn't a case about premeditation. It is a case about intent formed at the moment.'
Details of the Incident
During the trial, jurors heard how Bartlett and his partner Evelyn Ballentyne had gone to a pub and comedy club for their first evening out since Atticus's birth. Ms Ballentyne's mother, Rachel Donovan, and her husband Andrew came to the family's home in Darcis Row, Chard, to care for Atticus while his parents were out.
Over the evening, Bartlett consumed 8.5 pints of beer before returning home with Ms Ballentyne. He was left alone to feed Atticus in the living room while Ms Ballentyne went upstairs to change at about 11pm.
Nature of the Attack
Mr Row said Atticus was difficult to feed and it could sometimes take as long as an hour. Describing Bartlett, Mr Row said: 'He would have been disinhibited and therefore more cavalier in his handling of Atticus. He would have been potentially less tolerant, less patient, less able to control his temper and frustration.'
It is alleged that, while Ms Ballentyne was upstairs, Bartlett violently shook Atticus so hard that he caused severe internal injuries to the baby's brain and spinal cord. Mr Row told the jury that Atticus had three rib fractures that could not be attributed to resuscitation efforts.
Aftermath and Medical Response
Giving evidence, Ms Ballentyne described how she had come downstairs and heard her baby son, who was lying on his front on Bartlett's legs, making two loud gasps as if he was dying. 'Mr Bartlett can't admit to himself that when he was drunk, in a moment of pure violence, he did something that he will regret for the rest of his life,' Mr Row said.
Emergency services attended the property and Atticus was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital before being transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. However, his brain damage was so severe that he did not regain consciousness or breathe for himself. Atticus died just before midnight on July 23 2022.
Legal Proceedings
Bartlett, of Axminster, Devon, denies the two charges against him and the trial continues.
