A Wiltshire man who violently shook his one-month-old baby to death has been jailed for life.
On Saturday 9 May 2020, police were called to an address in Ashridge Court, Newbury, by South Central Ambulance Service following reports that a baby was in cardiac arrest.
The one-month-old boy, Colby Lawton, was taken to hospital for treatment but tragically later died.
Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, James Lawton, 27, of Boreham Field, Warminster, was charged with murder and grievous bodily harm.
Today (26 November) at Reading Crown Court, he was found guilty by unanimous verdict of one count of murder and one count of grievous bodily harm.
Lawton was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years.
At the same hearing, Chantelle Stroud, 25, of Ashridge Court, Newbury, was found not guilty of one count of causing or allowing the death of a child, and one count of cruelty to a child. Lawton was also found not guilty to one count of cruelty to a child.
The court heard how Lawton had caused multiple injuries to his son.
Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Blaik, of the Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: “Over the last four weeks, the jury have heard how a defenceless baby, just a month old, had sustained the most terrible injuries at the hands of his father James Lawton.
“Colby was assaulted on at least two occasions resulting in horrific injuries; with the final assault of violent shaking just moments before his death on 9 May 2020.
“Lawton denied causing any harm to Colby but the jury have seen through his continued lies and found him guilty today of his murder.
“This investigation has been extremely complex, requiring the assistance of numerous medical experts, a dedicated team of detectives and police staff working with our colleagues from the CPS.
“This has had a profound effect on everyone that has worked on this investigation and I am extremely grateful for their dedication and professionalism.
“The sentenced passed today truly reflects the utterly vile way that this defenceless child lost his life at the hands of James Lawton, his father who should have been his protector.”
