Inquest to examine death of baby boy killed by his father
THE inquest of a four-month-old baby boy who was killed by his father is set to take place next month.
Alfie Gildea suffered a catastrophic brain injury consistent with being shaken violently, while his mother Caitlin McMichael attended the doctors.
His dad, Sam Gildea is currently serving a 19-year sentence after admitting an ‘act of deliberate and unlawful violence which involved rigorous and violent shaking.’
He was jailed for 17 years for the manslaughter of Alfie, and a further two years for coercive and controlling behaviour against Miss McMichael.
A two-week inquest, which will examine the circumstances that lead to the little boy’s death, is due to begin on October 12.
The hearing has been listed as an ‘Article 2’ inquest, and will look into whether the state, or it agents, had failed to protect Alfie against human threat or other risk.
During a pre-inquest review at South Manchester Coroner’s Court on Monday, presiding coroner Alison Mutch OBE, set out a timetable for the upcoming hearing.
Alfie’s mother Caitlin is expected to give evidence at the inquest, and will be represented, alongside the rest of the family, by a team of lawyers.
Trafford Council, Pennine Care, Greater Manchester Mental Health
NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have all been listed as interested persons.
All of the agencies will be represented by lawyers for the duration of the inquest.
Sam Gildea has also been granted interested persons status, but Ms Mutch said it had not been indicated to her that he wished to attend.
The inquest was due to take place earlier in the year, but had to be halted due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Alfie Gildea was found unconscious by his mother Caitlin after she returned to the family home in Partington, Trafford on September 12, 2018, Minshull Street Crown Court previously heard. He died later in hospital.
Pathologists found that the injuries sustained by Alfie were consistent with him being subjected to violence.