MICHAEL BEAUMONT'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN HOYLAND AND BARNSEY: FATHER SENTENCED FOR LIFE IN DEVASTATING KADAN BEAUMONT CASE

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Hoyland and Barnsley, a father named Michael Beaumont has been convicted of the murder of his 11-month-old son, Kadan Beaumont. The tragic incident unfolded in September 2011, leaving a trail of heartbreak and questions about parental responsibility and child safety.

Michael Beaumont, aged 29 at the time of sentencing, was sentenced to life imprisonment by Sheffield Crown Court. The court ordered that he serve a minimum term of 18 years before being eligible for parole. The conviction followed a detailed investigation and a harrowing trial that revealed the brutal circumstances surrounding Kadan’s death.

Kadan’s mother, Helen Barnes, a 28-year-old teaching assistant, was also involved in the case but was ultimately spared a custodial sentence. She received a six-month suspended jail term after being found not guilty of causing or allowing her child's death. The court acknowledged her role but did not find her directly responsible for the fatal injuries.

The prosecution presented compelling evidence that Michael Beaumont fabricated a story to conceal the true cause of his son’s injuries. Beaumont claimed that Kadan had been knocked over by their family dog, Mia, and that this incident was responsible for the child's injuries. However, the evidence from expert pathologists painted a different picture.

Emergency services were called to the family home on Chapel Street, Hoyland, near Barnsley, on September 28, 2011, after reports that Kadan was unwell. The previous day, Beaumont had told authorities that the dog had caused the injuries, leading to a delay in seeking medical help. When paramedics arrived, they found Kadan suffering from multiple injuries, including bruises and a split lip, which prompted immediate concern.

Medical examinations revealed a shocking total of 34 injuries on Kadan’s tiny body. Pathologists concluded that the child had died from a heavy impact to the head, injuries that were consistent with severe trauma rather than accidental falls or dog bites. Prosecutors argued that Beaumont’s story was a cover-up, designed to hide the extent of the violence inflicted upon the child.

During the trial, testimonies from witnesses and medical experts underscored the brutality of the injuries. One witness, Ms. Laver, recounted her visit to Beaumont’s home after a concerned friend, Kay Cunliffe, contacted her about Kadan’s condition. She described seeing Kadan with visible bruises on his head and under his eyes, as well as a split lip, which she compared to injuries inflicted by a boxer like Mike Tyson.

Ms. Laver approached Beaumont at the gate of his garden in Hoyland, where he was holding Kadan. She urged him to take the child to hospital immediately, but Beaumont insisted that the dog had caused the injuries when Kadan was knocked over in the garden near a trampoline. Despite her concerns, Kadan was not taken to the hospital that day.

The following day, Kadan succumbed to his injuries, which the prosecution argued were inflicted just hours before his death. Further testimony revealed a disturbing incident where Beaumont was seen slamming Kadan onto a concrete floor inside a kitchen. When questioned about this act, Beaumont reportedly explained that he was stressed and that the child “has to learn,” indicating a troubling attitude towards discipline and child welfare.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Middleton, who led the investigation, described the case as a “shocking case of violence from a parent.” He emphasized that Beaumont’s attempt to blame the family dog was a desperate effort to conceal the horrific abuse that led to Kadan’s death. Middleton reaffirmed that the evidence, especially the findings from expert pathologists, was overwhelming and irrefutable.

In contrast, Helen Barnes was cleared of any direct involvement in causing her son’s death, though her suspended sentence reflected her partial responsibility in neglect. The case has left a lasting impact on the local communities of Hoyland and Barnsley, raising urgent questions about child protection and the warning signs of abuse within families.