A dad has admitted manslaughter after shaking his baby son and causing serious head injuries. Matthew Banks, 34, shook four-week-old baby Leo after he started crying during the nigh..
The little boy needed specialist treatment after the incident in December 2017. But despite the efforts of medical staff, Leo died at home in Chichester, West Sussex, in February 2020.
His father was interviewed by police over the injuries his son suffered. He admitted shaking Leo "quite vigorously" while he was looking after him during the night.
Banks said Leo had been crying "hysterically" and seemed stressed during a feed, leading the defendant to become tired and frustrated. It was not until the morning, when Leo’s mother woke up and realised he was unwell, that medics were called to examine the boy.
Banks was charged with manslaughter in February and pleaded guilty at a court hearing earlier this month. At Winchester Crown Court on Monday, Banks pleaded guilty to one charge of manslaughter and will be sentenced in October.
Detective Constable Owen Watkins, investigating officer for Sussex Police, said: “This is a heart-breaking case that has resulted in the tragic and untimely death of an innocent two-year-old boy. Matthew Banks was one of the people trusted to look after and care for Leo, but instead his actions caused injuries that Leo was sadly unable to recover from.
“We are relieved to secure a guilty plea at court, as it means Leo’s family no longer face the additional trauma of reliving his death through a trial. Our thoughts continue to be with them all at this incredibly difficult time.”
