DEAN WILLIAMS FROM MOUNTAIN ASH SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO INFANT IN RHONDA CYNON TAF

In June 2012, Dean Williams, a 31-year-old babysitter from Mountain Ash in Rhondda Cynon Taf, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after being found guilty of inflicting severe injuries on a four-week-old baby boy under his care. The incident, which occurred in 2008, involved Williams causing catastrophic harm to the infant, resulting in lifelong disabilities.

Williams pleaded guilty to three counts of child cruelty during the court proceedings at Merthyr Crown Court. The prosecution, led by Huw Evans, detailed the extent of the injuries sustained by the young boy, which included hemorrhaging in both eyes, fractured ribs, and permanent brain damage. These injuries were described as being of a nature typically associated with high-impact accidents such as falls from stairs or car crashes, but in this case, they were attributed to the forceful shaking and squeezing inflicted by Williams.

According to the court, concerns about the child's condition arose when his mother contacted emergency services due to his appearance. Paramedics who responded to the call quickly identified bruising on the child's head, raising suspicions of abuse. The severity of the injuries prompted a thorough investigation, which confirmed the abusive act committed by Williams.

During the sentencing, Williams's defense, represented by David Aubrey QC, acknowledged that the injuries resulted from a