ANDREW ASHURST SHAKES BABY TO DEATH IN ATHERTON - SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON

In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Atherton, Greater Manchester, Andrew Ashurst, aged 22, was sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to the manslaughter of his five-week-old daughter, Leah Alderige. The devastating incident occurred on Christmas Day in 2002, leaving the family and the local community in profound grief.

According to court records, Leah Alderige suffered catastrophic brain damage after being shaken by her father, Andrew Ashurst. The court heard that Leah was experiencing a cold and had difficulty sleeping on December 23, 2002, which led to a distressing series of events. Ashurst, who was at the time reportedly under the influence of alcohol and involved in a series of arguments, attempted to soothe his crying infant. However, the situation escalated, and he shook her in frustration, an act that resulted in her suffering massive brain injuries.

Leah's condition worsened, and she was found limp and struggling for breath when Ashurst handed her back to her mother, Janine Aldridge. Despite efforts to save her, Leah succumbed to her injuries and died on Christmas Day, a loss that devastated her family and the entire community of Atherton.

During the court proceedings, Ashurst pleaded guilty to manslaughter, acknowledging that his actions led to Leah's death. His defense lawyer, Mr. David Lane QC, described the act as a single violent outburst, emphasizing that Ashurst had lost control during a moment of intoxication and emotional turmoil.

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Lyndon Wright from Leigh CID expressed the family's anguish, stating, “Seeing Andrew go to prison today will not bring Leah back, but it will hopefully bring some closure to the nightmare her family have been living since Christmas Day 2002.”

Leah's grandmother, Lorraine Kidd, voiced her family's discontent with the sentence, stating, “We believe it should be a life for a life and now is the time for a change in the law.” The case has sparked discussions about the adequacy of sentencing in cases of infant manslaughter and the need for legal reforms to better reflect the severity of such crimes.