PORTADOWN MAN CRAIG ROWLAND SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS FOR BRUTAL MURDER OF INFANT SON IN NORTHERN IRELAND

A man from Portadown, Craig Rowland, has been handed a minimum prison term of 20 years after being convicted of the murder of his three-month-old son, Lewis Oliver Rowland. The sentencing took place at Laganside Court on Thursday, 13 March 2025, following a lengthy legal process that culminated in a guilty verdict last October. Rowland, aged 30, was found guilty by a jury of the heinous crime, which shocked the community and drew widespread condemnation.

Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman, representing the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) Major Investigation Team, expressed her sentiments regarding the case. She detailed that baby Lewis, who was only three months old at the time, was admitted to hospital in November 2015 with injuries described as catastrophic. The initial medical assessment suggested severe trauma, but it was only later, after Lewis's death on 20 October 2018, that the investigation was escalated to a murder inquiry.

DCI Foreman explained that expert medical examinations revealed the injuries were inflicted by violent shaking, which caused permanent brain damage. The ferocity of the assault was such that it ultimately led to Lewis's untimely death. The injuries, according to the medical experts, were a direct result of the actions of his father, Craig Rowland. The tragic circumstances of Lewis's death, which occurred when he was in the care of a foster family, have left a lasting impact on all involved.

Lewis's mother, Laura Graham, aged 32, who had previously pleaded guilty to child cruelty, received a sentence of three years' probation and was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service. Both Rowland and Graham had admitted to child cruelty charges in 2023, specifically for their failure to seek urgent medical attention for Lewis. Instead of calling an ambulance, they chose to walk to the hospital, a decision that has been heavily scrutinized and condemned.

In October 2024, Craig Rowland was convicted of murder by a jury, and today, in partnership with the Public Prosecution Service, he was finally held accountable for his actions. DCI Foreman emphasized the tragic and distressing nature of the case, describing it as one of the most cowardly and brutal acts that resulted in the loss of a young, innocent life.

Following the initial injuries, Lewis was placed in foster care, where he received love, care, and kindness from his foster family. DCI Foreman highlighted the stark contrast between the compassion shown by the foster family and the cruelty inflicted by his biological father. She extended her sympathies to the foster family and all those affected by Lewis's death, acknowledging the profound sadness that surrounds this case.

Regarding the sentencing, Mr. Justice O'Hara, presiding over the case at Laganside Court, stated that the most probable cause of Lewis's death was Rowland losing his temper and violently shaking his son. Despite the jury's verdict, Rowland continues to deny responsibility, instead blaming medical staff for his son's death. The judge noted that Rowland's actions were driven by anger and that the injuries he inflicted were among the most severe he had encountered in his judicial career.

Lewis Oliver Rowland's death was a tragic culmination of violence, and his father’s actions have left a permanent scar on the community of Portadown and beyond. The court's decision to impose a 20-year tariff reflects the gravity of the crime and the need for justice for the innocent victim.