GARY JOY SHAKES BABY IN NEWPORT LEAVING HIM SEVERELY DISABLED AND JAILED FOR SEVEN YEARS
In April 2016, a tragic case unfolded in Newport involving a young child who suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of a caregiver.Gary Joy, a 26-year-old resident of Wye Crescent, Bettws, was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a two-month-old baby, leading to his imprisonment for seven years.
Joy's actions came to light after the infant was rushed to the Royal Gwent Hospital on December 27, 2012, following episodes of seizures.
Medical examinations revealed a series of severe injuries, including bleeding on the brain, in the spinal cord, and within the retinas of the child's eyes.
These injuries were deemed to be non-accidental, with medical experts confirming that they were most likely caused by violent shaking.
During the trial at Newport Crown Court, the jury found Joy guilty of causing the injuries.
The court heard that the baby, who was only two months old at the time, had suffered extensive trauma that resulted in lifelong disabilities.
The child is now three years old and suffers from cerebral palsy, with a brain that has not grown properly, leading to a small head size.
He has poor vision, global developmental delays, and is unable to chew or move his hands purposefully.
He cannot sit up without assistance, cannot bear weight, and faces a significant risk of epilepsy.
Judge Jonathan Furness QC addressed the court, emphasizing the severity of the harm inflicted.
He stated that Joy's offense, committed in December 2012 while the child was in his care, went beyond the simple definition of harm.
The judge remarked, “People who suffer really serious harm can still make recoveries.
Unfortunately, he will never recover from his injuries.” In sentencing, Judge Furness detailed the child's current condition, describing him as a severely disabled young boy entirely dependent on caregivers.
The judge highlighted that calling this harm “serious” does not fully capture the extent of the damage caused.
He explained that the incident was a moment of frustration when Joy lost control, leading to the violent shaking that caused the injuries.
Joy admitted to police that he believed he was “playing with the baby by throwing him in the air,” but he was unsure how many times he had done so.
He described his actions as “stupid” and recounted that shortly afterward, the baby’s eyes rolled back, his back arched, and he appeared unwell.
Despite this, Joy denied causing the injuries, maintaining that his actions were not intentional.
The court's verdict and subsequent sentencing reflect the gravity of the case, underscoring the devastating impact of the violence inflicted upon the innocent child in Newport.
