DARREN SPREADBURY SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ATTACK ON BABY IN WHITBY AND HULL PRISON

In May 2018, Darren Spreadbury, a 28-year-old man from Whitby, was brought before York Crown Court to face serious charges related to a horrific assault on his seven-month-old son. The charges included wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm, acts intended to pervert the course of justice, and threats to kill. The court proceedings revealed the devastating consequences of Spreadbury's violent actions, which left the infant with lifelong disabilities that require constant, round-the-clock care.

According to court reports, the attack inflicted severe injuries on the baby, resulting in permanent brain damage and other critical health issues. The child suffered a traumatic brain injury, with approximately 300 milliliters of blood found inside his skull and spinal column. The force of the assault was so intense that it caused the baby's optic nerve to rupture, rendering him completely blind. Additionally, the child now suffers from quadriplegic cerebral palsy, a condition that confines him to a wheelchair and necessitates the use of body braces for life. He is unable to walk or talk, and his condition includes frequent epileptic seizures, sometimes occurring up to eight times daily.

During the trial, Spreadbury initially pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm but later attempted to alter his plea. However, Judge Andrew Stubbs QC dismissed his bid to change the plea and criticized Spreadbury’s account of the events, emphasizing the brutality of the attack and the irreversible damage caused.

The mother of the injured child expressed her heartbreak and anger, stating, “He has completely ruined my baby's life.” She detailed the extent of her child's disabilities, saying, “My child now needs 24/7 care because he has brain damage and is blind because Spreadbury snapped his optic nerve.” She also shared the sacrifices she has made, including moving to a wheelchair-accessible home and giving up her employment to become her son's full-time caregiver. Her words conveyed the profound impact of the attack: “My child has been left permanently disabled. He will never be able to see, walk, or talk.” She further revealed that her son now suffers from frequent epileptic fits, sometimes up to eight times a day.

The mother also criticized Spreadbury’s dishonesty, recounting how he lied for two years, blaming everyone and everything else for the incident. She mentioned that he even accused their dog and a burglar, claiming the dog must have sat on the baby, a theory she dismissed as entirely implausible. A medical report confirmed the severity of the injuries, indicating that the boy’s head had not developed properly, and he was suffering from severe hip problems along with paralysis of all four limbs, blindness, and epilepsy.

Throughout the sentencing, Spreadbury remained expressionless and showed no remorse. The judge sentenced him to four years in prison, with an expectation that he would serve only about half of that time. Following his conviction, Spreadbury was transferred to Hull Prison, where he is currently incarcerated, reflecting the gravity of his crime and the lasting impact on his young victim.