A WIRRAL man has today admitted assaulting his three-week-old son, leaving him permanently disabled.

A jury had been unable to reach a verdict on Dean Hodkinson on a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a trial last Spring and he had been due to face a re-trial.

But this afternoon he pleaded guilty to a lesser alternative charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm and is now to be sentenced later in the month.

During his trial Liverpool Crown Court heard that Hodkinson, a former soldier, forcibly squeezed and shook his baby son, who cannot be named for legal reasons, while downstairs alone with him in their Wallasey home on August 9, 2008.

He then carried the baby, who was like "a rag doll", upstairs to the baby's 17-year-old mum.

At hospital it was found that the little boy had suffered 17 rib fractures, his collar bones and shoulders were broken and he had also suffered traumatic brain injury.

"Some of the injuries were of such severity which is only seen in serious road traffic accidents," said Mr Stuart Driver, QC, prosecuting.

Hodkinson, 21, was further remanded in custody until January 25 to enable a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Judge William George told him that the report will help him decide on the length of the custodial sentence he will receive.

THE GLOBE

3 weeks old >> this man needs shooting <<

A sickening act

He'll get his due in prison. Sickening. :@

Really hope he gets it and isn`t put on a `special wing`.......

Don't know the ins and outs but it makes you wonder about some jury verdicts, or inability to come to one. It must break the hearts of those trying to bring these monsters to justice.

Inmates will give him a good for sure,
Leaving him the way he left that young boy,
(permanently disabled)

Jailed: Ex-Wallasey soldier who shook his three-week-old baby causing horrific injuries




A FORMER soldier who shook his three-week-old baby so violently he has been left been permanently disabled was today jailed for two years eight months.

But because 21-year-old Dean Hodkinson has already served seven months in custody he could be released on licence in less than nine months.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the attack on the infant, Anthony Payne, has left him mentally and physically disabled.

Hodkinson, formerly of Poulton Road, Wallasey, showed no emotion as he was led to the cells.

Jailing him, Judge William George said: "You took hold of Anthony, a vulnerable three-week-old child and violently squeezed and shook him causing him grievous bodily harm, not only to his body but also to his brain.

"As a result not only has his quality of life and enjoyment of life been affected, but also, if he survives, he will suffer from serious disability."

The court heard the previously healthy three-week-old baby suffered bleeding and damage to the brain, fractures to at least 17 ribs and breaks to his collar bones and both shoulders in the attack.

John Benson QC, prosecuting, said: "The prognosis is that Anthony is, and will remain, considerably handicapped for the rest of his life.

"He will be dependent on others full-time for the rest of his life."

Mr Benson told the court that Hodkinson was staying with Anthony's mum and grandmother at their Poulton Road home in Wallasey following Anthony's birth.

On the morning of August 9, 2008, Hodkinson went downstairs alone with the baby.

About twenty minutes later he came back upstairs asking Cara: "What does it mean when the baby goes all floppy?"

Mr Benson told the court: "It was clear Anthony was very unwell. Cara took him - she was immediately aware he was floppy and unresponsive."

An ambulance was called and Anthony was rushed to Arrowe Park Hospital, where staff called police and social services.

The baby was later transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

"Anthony's brain and skeletal injuries were caused by a combination of shaking and excessively forceful squeezing, probably, the prosecution say, at the same time," said Mr Benson.

"Those injuries were caused by this defendant when he was alone with Anthony downstairs.

"The force used was well in excess of what was appropriate in handling a three-week-old baby."

In interview, Hodkinson admitted some rough handling, but insisted his son had simply become floppy.

He denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent and causing grievous bodily harm, and last April a Liverpool Crown Court jury were unable to reach a decision at his trial.

But earlier this month, as his retrial was due to begin, Hodkinson pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.

Andrew O'Byrne QC, defending, said: "It is dreadful what occurred to Anthony and nothing we will say on the behalf of this defendant will bring any comfort to the family and in particular Cara, who will rightly have a long and justified sense of grievance about what occurred.

"This young man is remorseful and his conviction shows he has proper insight and understanding into how he behaved, for himself, for his son and for his son's mother and family, who will be responsible for his care for many years to come."

THE GLOBE

Some people need to stop shagging without protection.

Wirral grandmother: Baby shake father destroyed all of us



THE grandmother of a baby boy left brain damaged by his dad today told of the family’s devastation.

Little Anthony Payne was just three weeks old when he was shaken violently by his jealous father Dean Hodkinson.

Last week the 21-year-old was jailed for two years and eight months for the attack on his defenceless son.

Today Anthony’s gran, Carol Payne, spoke out to put the record straight and tell of the tragic consequences of Hodkinson’s rage on both her and her daughter – the baby’s mum Cara.

Her previously healthy grandson suffered bleeding and damage to the brain, fractures to at least 17 ribs and breaks to his collar bones and both shoulders.

The 36-year-old, from Wallasey, said: "The doctors have given Anthony a life expectancy of between five and 10 years.

"He has cerebral palsy and West Syndrome so he fits up to 50 times a day and he’s on the maximum amount of medication.

"Even though I know he has those fits I hate seeing him like that.

"The police told us that they thought they were going to have a murder investigation on their hands and that they used to say a prayer for Anthony."

For Carol Hodkinson’s sentence, which could see him apply for parole in nine months time, isn’t enough.

She said: "It makes you ask ‘is that what a life’s worth?’ – Anthony has to live with those injuries for the rest of his life."

And it’s not just Anthony’s life that has been scarred by Hodkinson.

Carol said: "When it first happened and the house was taped off by the police people thought it was us.

"We’ve had death threats and bricks thrown at the car. When my partner Darren went to the corner shop he was stopped and told ‘we know you’re a child murderer and we’re telling you to get out’. So we didn’t go back to Poulton Road after that. My youngest daughter had to move schools."

The whole family were initially police suspects. But within days all but Hodkinson had been ruled out.

Carol said: "We were all questioned by the police. But none of us was ever charged with anything. It was Dean."

Hodkinson, who was having a relationship with Carol’s daughter Cara, was invited to live with them and become part of the family.

She added: "He and Cara were on and off. But we wanted him in Anthony’s life because he was his dad.

"He never showed any violence towards Cara and at first he was pleased at the news they were having a baby.

"But he was jealous of Cara’s time with the baby."

After being charged with the attack Carol claimed Hodkinson humiliated Cara by demanding a DNA test to prove the baby was his.

And she said throughout the court case he never showed remorse or tried to find out how his son was doing.

Former squaddie Hodkinson denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent and grievous bodily harm.

And last April a Liverpool Crown Court jury failed to reach a verdict.

But last month, as his retrial was due to begin, Hodkinson pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.

He showed no emotion as he was jailed for the attack on his vulnerable, three-week-old baby son.

THE ECHO

he should be castrated and left to those in his cell block to finish off! The poor little baby; it amazes me how people can be so terribly cruel to innocents.