Craig Dawick (pictured) inflicted horrific injuries on his baby son Leyton
A young father has been convicted of murdering his eight-month-old son, leaving him with injuries so horrific they looked as though he had been in a car crash.
Craig Dawick, 25, ‘snapped’ and deliberately inflicted his son Leyton’s horrendous injuries because the crying child was teething and it made him angry.
Dawick, of Rochdale, told Manchester Crown Court his son had accidentally fallen off the sofa when he moved the duvet he was sleeping on.
But a trauma injury expert said his wounds were among the worst he had ever seen and looked as though the tiny baby had been in a high speed car crash.
The expert said his injuries implied he had been kicked and stamped on – in the head and the groin.
The jury refused to believe Dawick’s claims and found him guilty after retiring two and a half hours of deliberations.
Judge Sir John Royce immediately sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years.
More than one juror clasped their hand to their mouth when the catalogue of the child’s injuries were outlined during the trial.
His mother Chantelle Flynn, 25, was also guilty of causing or allowing the death of her baby and perverting the course of justice.
His eight-month-old son Leyton (pictured) was left with horrendous injuries and bruises all over his tiny body
The youngster (pictured) was crying because he was teething, infuriating his father
Flynn burst into tears when the verdict was returned as Dawick remained emotionless. She will be sentenced at a later date.
The court heard Dawick was a violent man and a risk to her child but instead she covered up for him, even lying to medics about what happened as they battled to save their baby’s life in hospital.
The pair had a ‘tempestuous’ on-off relationship, but Flynn immediately forgave him and begged him to return after each break-up, the jury heard.
Neil Usher, prosecuting, said Flynn had gone out and left Dawick alone with the child on the morning of September 6 last year, even though he had been violent to her in the past and she knew 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 a few minutes later.
Paramedics arrived to find the baby close to death and ‘covered in bruises’.
Dawick, of Rochdale, pictured with his child’s mother Chantelle Flynn, who was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of her baby and perverting the course of justice
Flynn (pictured right) will be sentenced at a later date. Dawick (left) will serve a life sentence, with a minimum of 21 years behind bars
Dawick left through the back door before police arrived but soon returned, with Flynn participating in a ‘charade’ that claimed their son was unwell as police and paramedics stood listening.
The child was rushed to hospital in Oldham before being transferred to intensive care at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Medics noted six separate areas of his body that were bruised, including his head, back of his ear, jaw, rib cage, groin and genitalia – likely as the result of punches or kicks.
Scans also showed multiple deadly injuries to the child’s brain.
Sentencing Dawick, Sir John Royce said the defendant had lied to the jury about what had happened while Flynn was out of the house.
He said: ‘What happened precisely after that only you know.
‘One thing was clear.
‘You have not begun to tell the truth about what took place during the time she was away.’
Flynn (pictured) helped cover up her partner’s murderous actions, lying to police and medics
The court heard about half an hour after Flynn left, Dawick had a seven minute phone call with her.
The judge said: ‘You were at that stage in a panic, and little wonder because in that intervening period you had been responsible for causing Leyton the most horrific injuries.’
The judge said that Leyton had suffered serious injuries to his groin.
He added: ‘It’s difficult to comprehend how any father could kick or stamp on his child.
‘This was a murder which borders on the sadistic.
‘He was a defenceless little baby.’
Members of the jury were visibly emotional following the judge’s sentencing remarks.