man left baby disabled after shaking him

MAN LEFT BABY DISABLED AFTER SHAKING HIM

A man has been sentenced to prison for causing serious injuries to a baby by shaking him vigorously.

Iskander Kechiche, 49, of Elkstone Close, Worcester, was given a sentence of three years and three months at Worcester Crown Court on Monday after admitting to assault causing grievous bodily harm.

The investigation by West Mercia Police’s Public Protection Unit revealed that Kechiche forcefully shook the infant boy in July 2021 when he was alone with the child.

On July 29, 2021, Kechiche alerted emergency services, claiming the baby had fallen from a height, but medical staff became suspicious upon finding the baby in cardiac arrest.

Police responded, and Kechiche was arrested two days later.

He disputed responsibility for the injuries, but medical experts determined the injuries resulted from non-accidental head trauma, specific to violent shaking.

Kechiche was initially charged with causing harm to a child or vulnerable adult but later faced a charge under section 18 of GBH.

His plea of guilty was accepted, and the charge was downgraded to a section 20 offence.

The boy, now five years old, is currently in the care of family members and is receiving support from specialised health services.

The judge sentenced Kechiche by considering his guilty plea and his first conviction.

The maximum penalty for this offence was up to five years’ imprisonment.