A YOUNG couple accused of murdering their two-week-old baby in a special care baby unit casually walked out for a cigarette as medics desperately tried to resuscitate their son’s lifeless body, a court heard today.
Brendon Gunter suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of his parents, Sophie Staddon, 23, and Daniel Gunter, 25, Charles Row KC, told the jury at Bristol Crown Court.
Jon RowleySophie Staddon, 23, is accused of murdering her two-week-old baby in a special care baby unit[/caption] FacebookDaniel Gunter, 25, is also on trial for murder[/caption]Both defendants, of no fixed address, have been charged with murder and causing or allowing Brendon’s death.
A jury of eight men and four women were sworn in the case, which is due to take four weeks.
Charles Row KC said the child had been born seven weeks prematurely at Yeovil District Hospital in February 2024 and had been progressing well and was preparing to go home when the young couple struck with devastating consequences.
Mr Row told the jury: “You need I am afraid to understand the level of sheer brutality involved in this killing.
“His head had been crushed so as to shatter his skull. He was badly bruised from head to toe with deep scratches to his neck.
“He was later found to have a broken neck, broken jaw, broken legs, broken ankles and broken wrists.
“Medical staff scooped up his limp and lifeless body and carried him to the resuscitation area a few paces from where he lay.
“His heart had stopped beating. Doctors and nurses tried desperately to do everything they could but Brendon did not respond.
“As medical staff rushed to try and save him Daniel Gunter and Sophie Staddon walked outside to have a cigarette.
“Despite being right there, just feet from where Brendon was attacked, each of the defendants denies causing the injuries and each of them denies knowing who did.”
A post mortem examination on Brendon by Home Office pathologist Dr Russell Delaney found that the cause of death was due to blunt force impact to his head.
Mr Row said: “Dr Delaney will also describe the multiple traumatic internal injuries; complex skull fractures, fractures to the cervical spine and cord, a fractured jaw, bleeding in the neck muscles, bruising in the soft tissues of the chest, bleeding in the lungs, bleeding within the heart and generalised bruising in the tissues of the back, legs and arms.”
Staddon and Gunter, 25, both deny the murder of their new-born son Brendon at Yeovil District Hospital on March 5, 2024.
The trial continues but the jury are due to be take on a site visit to Yeovil District Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit on Wednesday.
Yesterday we reported how a mum who abused her baby so badly he had to have both legs amputated was released from prison.
Jody Simpson, 33, and her partner Anthony Smith, 53, were sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018 for causing or allowing the torture of their son Tony Hudgell, now 10.
Now, the cruel parent has walked free from prison – after serving only around six years of her sentence.
Double-amputee Tony, who is the youngest ever recipient of the British Empire Medal for his fundraising efforts, faces life-long challenges due to the injuries he received as a tot.
But, after two years on license Simpson will face no conditions on her freedom.
Simpson was first released from prison on license in February 2023 – after only serving five years of her sentence.
Then, less than a year later in May 2024, the monster was recalled to prison after starting a relationship with a sex offender – in breach of her conditions.
She was due to be automatically re-released earlier this year, but Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood stepped in – forcing Simpson to face a parole hearing on May 19.
Now, it can be revealed that she has been released, with strict license conditions controlling what she does for the next couple of years.
Simpson will have to report any new relationships to her probation officer, get regularly drug tested and will be GPS tagged.
FacebookBrendon Gunter suffered catastrophic injuries, a court heard[/caption] Jon RowleyBoth deny the murder of their new-born son Brendon[/caption] Read More Details
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