Father Jailed for Murder of Infant Son After Violent Outburst
Tony Bartlett receives 18-year minimum sentence for shaking four-week-old Atticus to death.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Sarah Connor
Tony Bartlett has been convicted of murder after violently shaking his four-week-old son, Atticus, causing fatal injuries.
Atticus sustained severe injuries to his spinal cord, ribs, and brain. He died seven days after the brutal incident.
The murder occurred at the family home in Chard, following an evening out on July 13, 2022.
Bartlett and Atticus's mother, Evelyn Ballentyne, had visited a pub and comedy club before returning home that night.
Bartlett consumed 8.5 pints of lager prior to the attack.
The baby brought up milk while feeding from a bottle. This act reportedly enraged Bartlett.
Mr Justice Cavanagh stated that Bartlett had been feeding Atticus with a bottle, and the baby was bringing up the milk.
In his drunken state, Atticus’s inability to take the bottle as well as Bartlett thought he should reportedly enraged him.
Charles Row KC claimed Bartlett had been “drunk and frustrated” when he attacked his newborn son.
Evelyn Ballentyne went upstairs for a few minutes, leaving Atticus in the defendant’s sole care, Charles Row KC claimed.
When she returned, Atticus lay face down across the defendant’s lap, according to Charles Row KC.
Emergency services attended the property. Atticus was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital before transferring to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
Mr Justice Cavanagh confirmed that Bartlett had a sudden fit of anger, venting that anger on his tiny baby son.
Bartlett shook him very violently indeed, gripping him very tightly round his ribcage.
Bartlett shook him very violently indeed, gripping him very tightly round his ribcage, Mr Justice Cavanagh stated.
This violent act lasted only a few seconds or at most a minute or so. The intent was clear.
Just in that brief moment, Bartlett wanted to cause Atticus serious injury, Mr Justice Cavanagh concluded.
As suddenly as he began, Bartlett stopped, his anger evaporated. He then dozed off, Mr Justice Cavanagh added.
Tony Bartlett himself described his actions as "pure violence."
Mr Justice Cavanagh ordered Bartlett to serve a minimum of 18 years in prison for the murder.
Mr Justice Cavanagh declared, "I have no doubt that this terrible tragedy would not have happened if you were not so heavily intoxicated."