Man to face trial accused of shaking newborn son to death

A Melbourne man accused of killing his three-month-old son by shaking him will stand trial after being granted bail.

Scott Hammond, 27,  pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and child homicide following a committal hearing at Geelong Magistrates Court.

The Colac man was charged in February after baby Braxton Hammond was found unresponsive in October 2011 and later died in hospital.

The infant reportedly suffered a head injury, as well as rib and leg fractures, with the injuries alleged to have been the result of severe shaking.

During the hearing, an expert from the United States National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome said the child’s injuries did not appear to be accidental, the ABC reports.

‘It appears there’s evidence of impact, but the injuries are most consistent with some type of violent shaking,’ Professor John Alexander said.

‘Pre-mobile children don’t get injuries like these without the absence of adult involvement.’

Hammond pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and child homicide after the infant reportedly suffered a head injury, as well as rib and leg fractures

During the hearing at Geelong Magistrate’s Court (pictured), an expert from the United States National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome said the child’s injuries did not appear to be accidental, the ABC reports.

Earlier this year, a court heard that police initially suspected Hammond, as well as Braxton’s mother Nikita Cook, after they began investigating in 2011.

But detectives from the Homicide Squad were able to rule out Ms Cook as a person of interest because of the timing of the injuries the child sustained. 

Previously, the court also reportedly heard Hammond had not wanted children and had been violent while Ms Cook was pregnant.

Hammond was granted bail and will appear again on December 11 in The Supreme Court.