TYRONE MATTHEWS SHAKES WALSALL BABY TO DEATH IN TRAGIC CRIME CASE

In December 2007, a devastating case of child abuse culminated in the tragic death of a 16-month-old boy named Kyle Keen in Walsall, West Midlands. The incident involved Tyrone Matthews, a 25-year-old man with a history of violent and rough treatment towards the young child, who was ultimately sentenced to six and a half years in prison for his role in the infant's death.

According to court proceedings, Matthews caused severe brain hemorrhaging to Kyle during a period of what was described as 'rough and tumble' play in June 2006. The court heard that Matthews had a disturbing pattern of cruelty towards Kyle, which included flipping him over and throwing him around on multiple occasions. Witnesses and neighbors recounted hearing rattling screams emanating from the home in Walsall, with some reports indicating that a man's voice was yelling loudly to drown out the child's cries.

On the day of the tragedy, paramedics responded to an emergency call after Kyle was found unresponsive, limp, and floppy. Despite their efforts to revive him, the child's condition was dire. He was rushed to North Staffordshire Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, where doctors diagnosed severe brain injuries. The following day, Kyle was taken off life support, and he tragically passed away. The medical evidence presented in court confirmed that Kyle's injuries resulted from being violently shaken, which caused bleeding of the membranes covering his brain and starved his brain of oxygen, leading to his death.

Prosecutor Mr. Christopher Hotten QC explained that the injuries Kyle sustained were not consistent with 'rough play.' Instead, they were the result of severe shaking, a fact that Matthews himself admitted by acknowledging causing bruising to Kyle's legs and face through sucking and rough handling during play. The court was also told that Matthews had been warned about his aggressive treatment of children prior to the incident.

Furthermore, the court revealed a troubling history of violence and neglect. Matthews had caused bruises to Kyle by sucking his legs and face, and his behavior had been characterized by a pattern of cruelty. Despite warnings, Matthews's conduct escalated to the point of causing severe injuries. His partner, Kerry McIntosh, 21, was also implicated, as she failed to protect her son. She admitted child cruelty by neglect and received a six-month suspended sentence, with the court noting her awareness of the abuse but her insufficient intervention.

During the trial, neighbors testified to hearing the distressing screams and the loud yelling from the Walsall home, which painted a grim picture of the environment Kyle was subjected to. Judge Mr. Justice Gibbs emphasized the heavy responsibility of caregivers, condemning Matthews's repeated assaults and rough handling of Kyle. The judge stated that Matthews's behavior went far beyond rough play, involving blows to the child's face and body on multiple occasions, despite warnings and concerns expressed by others.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Gibbs highlighted the importance of protecting children from harm and underscored that no punishment could fully compensate for the loss of Kyle. Matthews, described as normally a hardworking and reliable individual, expressed remorse for his actions. Outside the court, Kyle's family, visibly distressed, issued a heartfelt statement. Kyle's biological father, Robert, 25, described the profound difficulty of coping with his son's death, expressing anger and grief, and stating that he wished he could bring Kyle back. He paid tribute to Kyle as a happy, cheeky little boy and expressed relief that justice had been served.

Peter Rowe from the West Midlands Police Child Abuse Investigation Unit commented on the case, noting that Matthews appeared to be a genuine individual who was placed in a tragic situation of caring for a child. He also criticized Kerry McIntosh for turning a blind eye to the bruising and neglect, emphasizing the serious responsibility of adults to safeguard young children. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of child abuse and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children in communities like Walsall.