SALFORD MAN BENJAMIN WELSH SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ATTACK ON BABY SON IN SALFORD
In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Salford, Benjamin Welsh, aged 21, was sentenced to prison after a horrifying incident involving his four-month-old son.The incident occurred in August of the previous year, when Welsh, overwhelmed by the relentless crying of his infant, took drastic and violent action that would change all their lives forever.
According to court reports, Welsh grabbed hold of his helpless baby and shook him with such force that the child suffered catastrophic injuries.
The severity of the injuries was immediately apparent, with doctors describing the brain injury as 'catastrophic,' leaving the infant in a critical condition.
The child's prognosis was grim from the outset; he was not expected to survive the attack.
Despite his fragile state, the boy is described by his carers as a 'little fighter,' though he faces a lifetime of medical needs and a significantly shortened life expectancy.
His carers have expressed deep sorrow and concern, emphasizing the profound impact of the injuries.
They stated, “This wonderful little boy who amazes us all every day will tragically never live a life that is anywhere near what we can consider as normal.
He will require a high level of continuous care throughout his life, and he will never get to enjoy the things that children do, like playing with friends, running, playing football, riding a bike, and climbing trees.” They also highlighted the ongoing efforts of social workers, medical professionals, and foster carers to make his life as comfortable and joyful as possible, despite the bleak prognosis.
The statement underscores the critical role of medical intervention and the skill of healthcare providers in keeping him alive.
The court proceedings revealed that Welsh and the child's mother, Elisha Wilson, also 21, failed to seek medical help for over 30 hours following the incident.
The court heard that the child was brought to the Royal Bolton Hospital around 11:45 am on August 9, after Welsh claimed to have performed CPR at around 4 am when the baby was unresponsive.
Welsh stated that the boy responded and then went back to sleep.
The couple later took the child to the emergency department after consulting with Wilson’s grandmother.
Welsh claimed that the bruises on the baby were caused by the 'quite brutal' CPR he performed, but suspicions arose, leading to police involvement.
Prosecutor Mark Kellet detailed the severity of the injuries, including widespread bruising, a fractured rib, and a ruptured liver.
The court was told that Welsh’s account of the bruising resulting from vigorous CPR was unconvincing.
Judge Patrick Field QC, during the sentencing hearing on October 5, condemned Welsh’s actions, stating, “On August 8, 2020, you Benjamin Welsh, viciously attacked him, your four-month-old son.
A baby who was utterly dependent upon his parents for all his daily needs and reliant upon those same parents to protect him from harm.
You attacked him, apparently because he would not stop crying and you couldn’t cope with that.
You couldn’t bear to hear him crying so you took hold of him and shook him violently.” The judge emphasized that Welsh’s actions were not merely to quieten the crying but were intended to cause serious harm.
He pointed out that Welsh was aware of the severity of the injuries he inflicted, yet he failed to seek urgent medical help for his son.
Instead, Welsh and Wilson delayed seeking assistance for over 30 hours, during which time the child's condition worsened.
When they finally arrived at the hospital, Welsh attempted to mislead medical staff about the cause of the injuries, showing a lack of genuine concern for the child's wellbeing.
Welsh was sentenced to nine years in prison, with the requirement to serve two-thirds of that sentence before being eligible for release on licence.
Wilson, who was also involved, received a 22-month suspended sentence, which will be active for two years, along with 30 days of rehabilitation activities.
The case has left the community of Salford deeply disturbed, highlighting the devastating consequences of parental violence and neglect.
