Couple sentenced over assault that left baby blind and brain damaged

A husband and wife from County Antrim convicted of serious crimes against a four week old baby boy have been sentenced to 22 years and four years.

The little boy sustained severe injuries in an assault that left him blind and brain damaged.

This was as a result of Christopher Fulton, 35, assaulting him in a fashion Newry Crown Court heard was "similar to a car crash" in terms of severity. He has been convicted of grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and two counts of cruelty to a child.

His wife Amanda, 36, was found guilty of causing/allowing a child to suffer physical harm and cruelty to a child.

The pair are from Rockfield Gardens in Mosside near Ballymoney, County Antrim.

In October, they were found guilty of their crimes at a trial.

The court heard that in November 2019, Christopher Fulton contacted his GP surgery to say the baby - known as P - had a raw throat and was not drinking his bottle.

An appointment was set up later that day.

On examination, the doctor found P to be unresponsive to physical stimulus. He was transferred to the Causeway Hospital .

A paramedic said "he was pale like a dead body".

The child was unresponsive to a heel prick and was found to be in a coma.

P was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast. He had then spent 10 days in ICU fighting for his life.

The court heard that Christopher Fulton had accompanied the child to hospital and was described as appearing unconcerned throughout - something the judge said was an aggravating factor.

P now suffers from severe dystonic cerebral palsy, is effectively blind, has an intellectual disability, has epilepsy, can only communicate by crying and cannot be comforted when crying. He is fed by a feeding tube and has a life limiting condition.

The judge said "the consequences have been devastating".

"It is totally inconceivable that with such a sick child they would not have sought immediate medical help.

"There are no mitigating factors in this case.

"No remorse and both maintain their denial of guilt."

In delivering a 22-year extended prison sentence to Christopher Fulton, Judge Peter Irvine KC said he "inflicted the life-threatening injuries".

"You displayed aggressive behaviour to P before this and afterwards you showed disregard for his wellbeing."

In sentencing Amanda Fulton to four years the judge said she "failed to protect" P knowing her husband "was quite capable of causing him serious harm".

"Your dereliction of duty is unforgivable," he said.

"The harm caused to him is irreversible."

Both were also served with a restraining order preventing them from contacting P in future.

In a statement following the sentencing, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Det Ch Insp Claire Gilbert said it is "horrifying to think there are children suffering in this way behind closed doors at the hands of those who are supposed to love and protect them".

She said it should "serve as a warning to those hurting children" and urged anyone who believes a child to be in danger to contact the police.

"Don't question your gut feeling.

"If something doesn't feel right, you won't be wasting our time by picking up the phone.

"You could save a child's life."