DECLAN WALTON SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ATTACK ON BABY IN GLENROTHES

A man with a military background, Declan Walton, has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison after being found guilty of violently shaking a ten-week-old infant in Glenrothes, Fife. The incident, which occurred in June 2020, resulted in severe and life-altering injuries to the young child. The court heard that Walton, aged 31, inflicted trauma on the baby at a residence in Glenrothes, leading to injuries that have left the child with permanent disabilities.

During the proceedings at the High Court in Glasgow, it was revealed that the infant remains hospitalized more than two years after the attack. The child now suffers from cerebral palsy, requires feeding through a tube, and faces a future where independent living is highly unlikely. The court was informed that Walton had previously admitted to assaulting the boy, acknowledging that his actions caused severe brain injury, permanent impairment, and posed a danger to the child's life. The assault involved shaking the infant or inflicting trauma to his head through unknown means.

Judge Lord Weir addressed Walton directly, stating, "Although you accept sole responsibility for the devastating brain injury, you appear from pre-sentencing reports to be unable to account for what occurred." The judge also highlighted a poignant victim impact statement from the child's mother, which he described as 'moving.'

It was also shared during the hearing that prior to the attack, the baby was described as a 'happy baby.' The incident was marked by a distressing moment immediately afterward when Walton, in a state of panic, yelled, "He's not responding. He's not breathing."

The infant was swiftly taken to hospital, where extensive resuscitation efforts were necessary. He was admitted to intensive care after suffering hemorrhaging in his head. Medical experts who examined the child confirmed that his injuries were highly indicative of abusive head trauma, a form of inflicted injury often associated with shaken baby syndrome.

Walton's defense team, led by Gareth Jones KC, provided context about his background, revealing that Walton served in the army for eight years, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan. The lawyer explained that Walton had difficulty adjusting to civilian life and described the incident as a moment of loss of control. Mr. Jones emphasized that the attack was a single, impulsive act that resulted in devastating consequences, rather than a premeditated act of violence.