BLACKBURN FATHER ZEESHAN YOUNIS SHAKES BABY SON INTO COMA IN HORRIFIC CRIME
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Blackburn, a father named Zeeshan Younis was convicted of inflicting severe harm on his infant son through a brutal act of shaking.The incident occurred at a residence in Blackburn, where Younis was left in charge of his fourteen-week-old child.
The baby was found to be in a critical condition after the assault, which resulted in him falling into a coma.
According to reports, the infant was immediately taken to a hospital, where medical professionals diagnosed him with a bleed on the brain.
Further examinations revealed extensive haemorrhages in his eyes and an irregular heartbeat, indicating the severity of the trauma inflicted upon him.
The injuries suggested a violent episode of shaking, which is often associated with abusive behavior towards young children.
Younis, a Pakistani national residing in Blackburn at the time of the incident, was later tried and found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent by a jury at Preston Crown Court in March.
The court proceedings revealed that Younis, who is now 38 years old, had overstayed his UK visa, making him an illegal immigrant.
His legal status was a point of concern during sentencing, but the focus remained on the brutal assault on his child.
During the sentencing at Sessions House, Judge Graham Knowles QC expressed grave concern over the potential consequences of Younis’s actions.
He stated that the baby “could have been killed,” emphasizing the gravity of the assault.
The judge recounted that the child was well cared for until February 5, 2016, which marked the second occasion when Younis was left alone to look after him.
On that day, a health visitor had visited the home at 11:30 am and found the baby sleeping peacefully.
However, by 1:45 pm, Younis had violently shaken his son, leading to the catastrophic injuries.
Younis’s actions were characterized by the judge as an isolated act of abuse driven by a momentary loss of control.
The jury’s findings indicated that Younis intentionally caused grievous bodily harm to his son during this incident.
Despite the severity of the injuries, the baby made a remarkable recovery, which was highlighted during the trial.
Younis had called emergency services after the assault, but he did not disclose the circumstances that led to his son’s condition, raising suspicions about the nature of the incident.
Paramedics arrived to find the infant in a dire state: pale, floppy, and in a coma.
En route to the hospital, the child developed a fixed stare and became rigid, prompting immediate medical intervention.
An investigation was launched, which ultimately led to Younis’s arrest.
Medical reports from multiple doctors confirmed that the injuries were consistent with abuse, specifically shaking or minor head trauma.
Judge Knowles QC remarked that Younis’s actions could have resulted in the child's death or severe brain damage, with lifelong consequences.
Fortunately, the child survived and, after three years, social workers have described him as a “happy, healthy child who is meeting all his milestones.” However, medical professionals have noted that there remains a small risk of developmental difficulties arising later in life due to the trauma.
During the sentencing, the judge also reflected on the painful truth that the child, now adopted, will one day learn about what was done to him by his own father—an act that Younis continues to deny.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of child abuse and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children in the community of Blackburn.
