THOMAS JOHNSON SHAKES BABY IN SWINEFLEET NEAR GOOLE AND HULL

In June 2016, a tragic incident unfolded in the small village of Swinefleet, near Goole and Hull, where a father named Thomas Johnson was convicted of causing severe harm to his 10-week-old daughter. The case drew significant attention due to the brutal nature of the injury and the circumstances surrounding the event.

Thomas Johnson, aged 25 at the time, was found to have shaken his infant daughter so violently that she sustained critical brain injuries. The young girl, who was only 71 days old on September 11 of the previous year, was crying uncontrollably from colic, a common but distressing condition in infants. According to court reports, Johnson, who was described by the child's mother as a caring and loving father before the incident, was overwhelmed by the situation and his own personal frustrations.

Prosecutor Mark McKone detailed how Johnson, who was experiencing personal stress due to an unhappy relationship and overwork, assaulted his daughter in their family home on Church Street, Swinefleet. The court heard that Johnson had been complaining of a painful abscess under a tooth and had gone to work that day. After returning home, he took his partner to work, expecting her to finish her shift at 10 pm. During this time, Johnson left the baby in a car seat at a local pub, where he consumed one or two pints of beer before returning home.

At around 8 pm, Johnson contacted his partner, crying and reporting that their daughter had gone rigid and floppy. A paramedic who responded to the scene observed Johnson with his head in his hands, visibly upset and crying. The infant was found to be pale, unresponsive, and was subsequently given oxygen before being rushed to the hospital's emergency department. Medical examinations revealed that the baby was experiencing seizures, frothing at the mouth, and had sustained extensive brain damage, including bilateral hemorrhages. Doctors concluded that her injuries were consistent with a sudden acceleration and deceleration of her brain within her skull, a hallmark of shaking injuries.

Johnson initially denied any physical assault, claiming he found his daughter stiff and having a fit in her Moses basket. However, he later pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, admitting that he had shaken her vigorously by holding her Moses basket. He denied the charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, asserting that his actions were reckless but not deliberate.

Following the incident, Johnson's life spiraled further into turmoil. He developed issues with alcohol, leading to a conviction for drink-driving in November of the same year. He also lost his job and breached a community punishment on two occasions. His defense argued that Johnson was genuinely remorseful and ashamed of his actions, emphasizing his fear of admitting what he had done and his love for his daughter. His legal representative described him as a kind and helpful father who was overwhelmed by the situation, which led to a momentary loss of control.

Despite his remorse, the consequences for the young girl have been devastating. She now exhibits permanent injuries, including an inability to sit unaided, delayed development, and a lack of signs of normal eyesight. She is currently functioning at the level of a three-month-old infant, far behind her expected developmental milestones.

In sentencing, Judge David Tremberg expressed profound disappointment and condemnation. He stated, “She was your first and only child. While the court has heard and read about the stress you were under, an unhappy domestic relationship, long working hours, fatigue, and physical discomfort, none of those factors justify what you did. You played a part in bringing her into this world, and in doing so, you accepted a duty to ensure her welfare. Society expects no less. She was one of the most vulnerable members of society. When she would not stop crying, it was your responsibility to control yourself. Instead, you shook her, and it appears she will be severely affected by your actions for the rest of her life.”

Judge Tremberg sentenced Johnson to two years in prison, emphasizing the tragic nature of the case. He remarked, “This is an unmitigated tragedy. There are no winners, only losers. Your remorse came too late, and your failure to tell the truth initially compounded the harm. While custody will be a shock, it is a necessary step given the severity of your actions.” The court's decision underscores the gravity of harming the most vulnerable and the societal expectation that caregivers maintain composure and restraint, especially in moments of stress involving infants.