A man is accused of causing the death of his four-week-old son by shaking him vigorously after consuming nine pints of beer. The infant, Atticus Bartlett, passed away in a hospital following a collapse at the family residence in Chard, Somerset, on July 16, 2022. Tony Bartlett, aged 39, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and manslaughter concerning the brain injuries that led to his son’s demise.
During the trial, Atticus’ mother, Evelyn Ballentyne, testified at Bristol Crown Court, describing the distressing moment she found her son motionless and discolored. Allegations suggest that Bartlett, employed as a postman, shook Atticus aggressively while they were alone together.
Ballentyne recounted hearing Atticus emit two gasping sounds after she went downstairs. She expressed how she recognized the signs of death, mentioning his pallor and lack of breathing before screaming in panic.
According to Ballentyne, Atticus was initially positioned facedown on Bartlett’s lap, and when flipped over, his lifeless state became evident. Overwhelmed by grief, Ballentyne fled the house in shock, thinking she had called emergency services but realizing later that she hadn’t.
Prosecutor Charles Row KC queried Ballentyne about the frequency of recollecting the tragic events, to which she responded “All the time.” Contrary to previous accounts, Ballentyne clarified that she did not attempt to revive Atticus by shaking him gently. She asserted that her memory of that fateful night was vivid and accurate.
In Bartlett’s defense, Nigel Power KC insinuated that Ballentyne downplayed her actions, a claim she refuted. When asked if Bartlett had harmed Atticus, Ballentyne firmly affirmed that he had.
The court heard that earlier that evening, Atticus had been under the care of his grandmother, Rachel Donovan, and her husband, Andrew, while Bartlett and Ballentyne were out at a pub and comedy club. Allegations arose that Bartlett, after consuming a significant amount of alcohol, shook Atticus forcefully, causing severe internal injuries to the infant’s brain and spinal cord.
Additionally, it was revealed that several of Atticus’ ribs were fractured during the incident. Despite prompt medical attention, Atticus succumbed to his grave brain injuries and never regained consciousness. His tragic demise occurred shortly before midnight on July 23, 2022, at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
Bartlett, residing in Axminster, Devon, maintains his innocence in the face of the charges, and the trial is ongoing.
