A baby boy beaten to death by his father suffered catastrophic injuries normally associated with high-speed car crashes, a court heard today.
Eight-month-old Leyton Dawick sustained injuries across his body including ‘kicks or stamps’ to his groin and head, delivered deliberately by his father Craig Dawick, 25, it was alleged.
One doctor said they were among the worst he had ever seen in more than 300 child injury cases, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Jurors covered their mouths with their hands when the horrific catalogue of injuries were outlined, as they heard Dawick lost his temper and ‘snapped’ before murdering his baby son, who was teething and crying.
Craig Dawick (left) denies murdering his eight-month-old son while Chantelle Flynn (right), denies causing or allowing the death of her baby and perverting the course of justice
Post-mortem examinations showed Leyton suffered fractures to his pubic bone area, his right wrist and his right leg in three places caused by pulling and twisting of his limbs, experts said.
Leyton suffered bleeding to both eyes indicating ‘significant’ head trauma, consistent with non-accidental head injury, potentially caused by ‘vigorous shaking’.
A V-shaped bruise on Leyton’s forehead was consistent with an impact from a shod foot, and a pathologist said the extensive bruising and fractures to his groin was ‘most likely explained by Leyton having received a heavy blow or blows, such as a stamp or kick to his genital region’.
Leyton was taken to Royal Oldham Hospital but transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit at Manchester Children’s Hospital in September last year, where he was found to have a ‘catastrophic brain injury’. He died two days later.
Dawick, from Rochdale in Manchester, was in the dock alongside the child’s mother, Chantelle Flynn, also 25, who denies causing or allowing the death of her baby and perverting the course of justice.
It is alleged she knew Dawick was a violent man and a risk to her child but instead covered up for him, even allegedly lying to medics about what happened as they battled to save Leyton’s life in hospital.
It is alleged Flynn knew Dawick was a violent man and a risk to her child but instead covered up for him
The pair had a ‘tempestuous’ on-off relationship, during which time Dawick was violent towards her, but Flynn immediately forgave him and begged him to return after each break-up, the jury heard.
The court heard Leyton died just days after Dawick had been violent towards Flynn and reportedly threatened to ”break in and batter her to death.”
Neil Usher, prosecuting, told the jury Flynn went out and left Dawick alone with the child on the morning of September 6 last year.
She left despite Dawick being violent to her in the past and knowing about his temper and the ‘significant risk’ he posed.
Telephone records showed he called Flynn twice at 8.35am and 9.08am before paramedics were called to the house by Flynn at 9.15am after she returned home.
Paramedics arrived to find Leyton close to death and ‘covered in bruises’.
Dawick had left via the back door before police arrived but soon returned, with Flynn then participating in a ‘charade’ by telling him that their son was unwell as police and paramedics stood listening.
Dawick, pictured with Chantelle Flynn, allegedly lost his temper and ‘snapped’ before murdering his baby son who was teething and crying
Medics at Manchester Children’s Hospital noted six separate areas of bruising including to Leyton’s head, the back of his ear, jaw, rib cage and multiple areas of bruising in his groin and genitalia – suspected to have been the result of punches or kicks.
Scans also showed multiple and fatal injuries to Leyton’s brain. Both parents were taken to see their son before medical care was withdrawn on September 8.
Mr Usher told the jury: ‘The prosecution case is that, left alone with a baby who may well have been crying or even screaming that morning, Craig Dawick snapped and deliberately inflicted Leyton’s fatal injuries.’
Dawick, who denies murder, gave a ‘no comment’ interview after his arrest but did provide a statement saying his son had suffered a fall at home which caused the ultimately fatal injuries.
Flynn, who described her on-off boyfriend as a ‘brilliant father’ denies any wrongdoing.
The trial was adjourned until tomorrow morning.
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