‘Sadistic’ dad killed baby for crying too much
EVIL FATHER JAILED FOR LIFE AFTER HORROR ATTACK ON SON
AN EVIL young father who brutally murdered his tiny baby son because he was crying too much is today beginning a life sentence after a judge branded him ‘sadistic.’
Craig Dawick had ‘snapped’ and deliberately inflicted Leyton’s horrific injuries because the upset little boy, who was teething, made him angry.
Dawick, 25, of Rochdale, lied to Manchester Crown Court saying that eightmonth-old Leyton had accidentally fallen off a couch when he moved the duvet he was sleeping on.
But one expert in trauma injuries said they were among the worst he had ever seen in more than 300 child injury cases and normally associated with high-speed car crashes.
The defenceless baby sustained a series of injuries, including what experts think were stamps and kicks to his head and groin.
The jury saw through Dawick’s lies and found him guilty of murder after retiring for just two-and-a-half hours. Judge Sir John Royce immediately sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years. More than one juror covered their mouths with their hands when the catalogue of injuries to the child were outlined as the case against Dawick was opened at the start of his trial. The jury also found Leyton’s mother, Chantelle Flynn, 25, guilty of causing or allowing the death of
It’s difficult to comprehend how any father could kick or stamp on his child Judge Sir John Royce
her baby and perverting the course of justice. Flynn burst into tears when the verdict was returned, while Dawick remained emotionless. Flynn will be sentenced at a later date.
The court heard Dawick was a violent man and a risk to her child but instead she covered up for him, even lying to medics about what happened as they battled to save Leyton’s life in hospital.
The pair, of Durham Street, had a ‘tempestuous’ on-off relationship, but Flynn always forgave him and begged him to return after each break-up, the trial heard.
Neil Usher, prosecuting, told the jury of seven women and five men Flynn had gone out and left Dawick alone with Leyton on the morning of September 6 last year, even though he had been violent to her in the past and she knew about his temper and the ‘significant risk’ he posed.
Telephone records showed he called Flynn twice at 8.35am and 9.08am before paramedics were called to the house by Flynn at 9.15am after she returned home.
Paramedics arrived to find Leyton close to death and ‘covered in bruises’.
Dawick had left via the back door before police arrived but soon returned, with Flynn then participating in a ‘charade’ by telling him that their son was unwell as police and paramedics stood listening.
The child was rushed to hospital in Oldham before being transferred to intensive care at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Medics noted six separate areas of bruising, including to his head, the back of his ear, jaw, rib cage and multiple areas of bruising in his groin and genitalia – likely as the result of punches or kicks.
Scans also showed multiple and unsurvivable injuries to the child’s brain, and both parents were taken to see their son before medical care was withdrawn on September 8.
Sentencing Dawick, Sir John Royce said the defendant had lied to the jury about what had happened while Flynn was out of the house.
He said: “What happened precisely after that only you know. One thing was clear.
“You have not begun to tell the truth about what took place during the time she was away.”
The court heard about half-an-hour after Flynn left, Dawick had a sevenminute phone call with her.
The judge said: “You were in that stage in a panic, and little wonder because in that intervening period you had been responsible for causing Leyton the most horrific injuries.”
The judge said that Leyton had suffered serious injuries to his groin.
He added: “It’s difficult to comprehend how any father could kick or stamp on his child. It defies belief. Some would describe it as sadistic. He was a defenceless little baby.”
Members of the jury were visibly emotional following the judge’s sentencing remarks.