LEE VERNON OF BROADSTAIRS SENTENCED FOR MURDERING SIX-WEEK-OLD SON IN KENT

In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Broadstairs, Kent, Lee Vernon was convicted of the brutal murder of his six-week-old son, McKenzie Ellis. The devastating incident occurred in July of the previous year, leading to a series of heartbreaking revelations during the trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

McKenzie Ellis, a fragile infant just six weeks old, suffered fatal injuries that included a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, and multiple fractures across his tiny body. The severity of his injuries was such that he was rushed to a hospital in Margate on July 23, 2018, where medical professionals found him in an unresponsive state. The doctors' examination revealed a severe brain bleed, a broken collarbone, five fractured ribs on one side, and six on the other, painting a grim picture of the violence inflicted upon the young child.

Following the initial hospital assessment, McKenzie was transferred to London's King’s College Hospital, where his condition continued to deteriorate. Despite efforts to save him, the child's life-support machine was turned off on July 26, 2018, and he was pronounced dead. The tragic loss of such a young life has left a lasting impact on his mother, Katrina Ellis, who expressed her deep anguish and anger in a victim impact statement read aloud during the court proceedings. She stated, “I feel so much hate for Lee now and I just want to see him never come out of prison for what he has done. I only had McKenzie for six weeks but those six weeks were the best in my life.”

During the trial, Vernon claimed that the injuries resulted from an accidental fall, asserting that he panicked and attempted to revive his son by hugging and squeezing him. However, the prosecution, led by QC Steven Perian, argued that Vernon was a manipulative individual who provided a false account inconsistent with the medical evidence. The court found Vernon guilty of murder and also convicted him of two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent. These convictions resulted in a sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years for the murder, and a concurrent six-year sentence for the additional charges.

Judge Mr. Justice Nicklin emphasized the vulnerability of McKenzie, noting that “he was particularly vulnerable because of his very young age.” The judge also condemned Vernon’s breach of trust as a father, stating, “The infliction of injuries upon your son was a significant breach of trust and your responsibility to care for him. The evidence during the trial suggests that McKenzie was in significant pain as a result of these historic injuries that affected his sleep and his eating.” The case has left the community of Broadstairs and the wider Kent area in mourning, highlighting the tragic consequences of neglect and violence against the most vulnerable members of society.