Legal News

A man who killed his partner’s young son by shaking him until his back broke has been jailed for eight years.

The Daily Mail reports that Craig Lewis, 32, killed Kieron Barley, aged 22 months, in a fit of rage.

Medics failed to diagnose that the toddler’s back was broken, however, meaning the child endured weeks of pain before he died.

The case bears similarities to the case of Baby P in London, who also died after his back was broken as a result of violent child abuse.

Electrician Lewis – himself a father of four – shook the baby and then hurled him onto the ground in a fit of anger, Birmingham Crown Court was told.

Kieron was taken to hospital but doctors diagnosed a stomach upset and sent him home. Weeks later, Lewis attacked him again – it was then doctors diagnosed that the toddler’s back was broken in two places.

Lewis had been left alone in the house with the baby on 28 May 2011. He told the emergency operator that the toddler had gone “all floppy” after he fell and banged his head while trying to walk.

Kieron’s shoulder was X-rayed at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and two consultants examined him before he was discharged and returned home.

The following day, Kieron’s mother called NHS Direct to report that the toddler was screaming and vomiting. Barley told NHS Direct that Kieron screamed even if he was lying on her and she moved slightly. She was advised to take Kieron back to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, but she waited for several hours before doing so, the court heard.

The toddler spent the night at the hospital and was diagnosed with gastric flu.

The terrible injuries inflicted on the baby by Lewis in May 2011 were only diagnosed weeks later on 19 June, after the second attack.

Lewis had thrown the baby into his cot after flying into a rage because he had wet his nappy. The court heard that the baby had been shaken hard by Lewis, causing his head to move backwards and forwards rapidly. The baby’s head hit the cot railings causing a head injury.

Paramedics attended the family’s home and managed to resuscitate Kieron, but the baby suffered a heart attack and stopped breathing, resulting in a fatal brain injury. The toddler never regained consciousness. However, it was then medics discovered Kieron’s back was broken in two places.

The role of Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the other agencies involved in Kieron’s care are at the centre of a serious case review. Birmingham’s child protection authorities have already been severely criticised over previous failings in child protection. The hospital has defended its role in Kieron’s care, however. A spokesman said:

“Based on his physical presentation and the information given by his mum and partner, we are satisfied that hospital staff acted entirely appropriately.”

It took police officers two years to gain a confession from Lewis, who admitted he had caused Kieron’s injuries when confronted with forensic evidence earlier this year.

Despite being questioned by police over Kieron’s death on several occasions, both Lewis and Kieron’s mother Louise Barley lied to police officers and claimed they had played no part in the baby’s injuries.

On Friday (04/04/14), Lewis was jailed for eight years for manslaughter by Birmingham Crown Court.

Kieron’s mother Louise Barley, 26, was also jailed for 15 months by Birmingham Crown Court, after she admitted child neglect in the weeks leading up to the second attack on her son by Lewis.

Duncan Lewis Domestic Violence Solicitors

Duncan Lewis domestic violence solicitors can advise on violence in the home, including child abuse and domestic violence towards children such as shaken baby syndrome.

Duncan Lewis is also a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors and can advise on family and childcare law under both UK law and Islamic law.

For expert and confidential legal advice on domestic violence and child abuse in the home, contact the Duncan Lewis Solicitors Domestic Violence Emergency Helpline on 07920 077054.