BENJAMIN POPLE SHAKES SIX-MONTH-OLD BABY IN WOOLAVINGTON LEAVING LIFE-CHANGING INJURIES

In January 2017, a man from Woolavington named Benjamin Pople was sentenced to serve four and a half years in prison after being found guilty of a brutal assault that left a six-month-old baby with severe, life-altering injuries.

According to court proceedings, the incident occurred on the night of November 17, 2015, a night marked by emotional turmoil for Pople, who had been out drinking following the funeral of his close cousin. The court heard that upon returning home, Pople was living with his then-partner and her infant child. It was during this visit that he suddenly lost his temper, leading to a violent confrontation.

Judge David Evans, presiding over the case at Taunton Crown Court, detailed how Pople's actions escalated. The defendant's partner, fearing for her safety, left the house in a state of terror and contacted Pople’s family, hoping that his brother or sister could intervene and help calm him down. Within minutes, Pople emerged from the house holding the limp, injured baby, attempting to flag down a passing vehicle to take the child to the hospital.

The baby was quickly transported to Bridgwater Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) and then transferred to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. Medical staff provided urgent treatment, managing to save the child's life, but the damage inflicted was catastrophic. The infant suffered a severe brain injury, a fractured skull, and now faces ongoing health challenges, including significant visual impairment and active epilepsy. The child is currently fed through a gastrostomy tube and is entirely dependent on caregivers for all aspects of daily life.

Judge Evans emphasized the gravity of the injuries and the lifelong consequences for the child, stating that the assault had rendered the baby severely disabled and in need of continuous, lifelong care. The court heard that the injuries were inflicted during a moment of uncontrollable rage, which was exacerbated by Pople’s alcohol consumption that evening.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Evans highlighted the troubling background of the case. Pople had entered into a relationship with the child's mother when she was four months pregnant with a child from a previous partner. Initially, he had taken on the role of a father figure with enthusiasm, but his mental health deteriorated following the sudden death of his brother. Evidence presented in court included audio recordings of Pople yelling and abusing both his partner and the baby, just a month prior to the assault.

The judge described Pople as an arrogant and self-centered individual, unable to acknowledge his own flaws. The night of the incident, after consuming lager and cider, Pople began to find fault with his partner, leading to an argument that quickly turned aggressive. His partner, terrified, left the house wearing only a vest top, leggings, and socks on a cold November night. She called Pople’s brother and sister, who attempted to come to the house to intervene.

While his sister and her partner headed to the residence on Bath Road, Pople, unaware of their approach, appeared outside holding the severely injured baby. The court described how Pople had vented his rage on household objects and furniture before turning his violence toward the infant, whom he shook with such force that his skull was fractured upon impact with a hard surface. Recognizing the severity of his actions, Pople did not call emergency services but instead went outside to flag down a motorist.

The arrival of Pople’s sister was a fortunate coincidence, as she took the injured baby to Bridgwater MIU, which promptly called an ambulance. The child was then transferred to Musgrove Park Hospital, where Pople’s subsequent actions came under scrutiny. During a phone call overheard by a doctor, Pople appeared to instruct his mother on how to cover up evidence, including his blood at the scene. The court noted with disapproval that Pople’s family was willing to participate in a cleanup operation to conceal the truth.

Pople’s police interview further revealed his attempt to shift blame onto the child's mother, despite the overwhelming evidence of his guilt. Throughout the proceedings, Pople showed genuine remorse but refused to accept full responsibility for the injuries inflicted. The court condemned his actions as truly appalling, emphasizing the devastating impact on the innocent child.

In delivering his sentence, Judge Evans referenced recent medical reports confirming the extent of the child's injuries—severe brain damage, visual impairment, and epilepsy—necessitating lifelong care. The judge concluded that Pople had destroyed the child's future, stating, “Short of death, it is hard to imagine what more harm you could do to a six-month-old baby.” The case underscores the tragic consequences of unchecked rage and alcohol abuse, leaving a vulnerable infant with a permanently altered life.