OLD COLWYN MAN JOSHUA MORRIS SENTENCED FOR SHAKEN BABY INJURIES IN CONWY

In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Old Colwyn, Joshua Morris, aged 29, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after being found guilty of causing severe and life-altering injuries to a 10-month-old girl. The incident, which took place in January 2018, involved Morris losing his temper and violently shaking the infant, resulting in catastrophic brain damage that has left her with ongoing health issues.

According to court proceedings, Morris’s actions were triggered by the baby crying during the night, which caused him to become enraged. The Mold Crown Court heard that Morris, who resided on Ffordd Elias in Old Colwyn, experienced an “explosive loss of temper” during the attack. The court was told that Morris had initially lied in emergency calls, claiming that the baby had been bouncing in her cot and had fallen, a story he later admitted was false.

On the night of the incident, Morris had gone to bed around 5:00 AM after a night of minimal sleep, reportedly only three hours. When he was awakened by the crying infant, he took her from her cot and shook her violently. Following the assault, Morris contacted emergency services and a paramedic, but his account of what had happened was inconsistent. The court heard that the baby was left critically ill, with injuries described as “as serious as can be imagined,” including bleeding on the brain, retinal hemorrhages, and oxygen deprivation. Medical professionals at Alder Hey Hospital confirmed that her injuries were consistent with shaken baby syndrome and were non-accidental.

Legal proceedings revealed that Morris had a longstanding drug habit, and during the trial, the jury found him guilty of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) but acquitted him of a second charge of causing GBH with intent. The court was informed that the girl, now three years old, will face lifelong challenges due to her injuries, which are unlikely to ever allow her to live independently. Experts testified that her injuries were “highly consistent” with shaking, and detailed medical examinations showed no signs of accidental trauma such as falls from a cot.

Judge Rhys Rowlands addressed the court, stating that if the jury had not cleared Morris of intent, he could have faced a sentence twice as long. The judge also noted the absence of genuine remorse from Morris, who had been under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. The prosecution argued that Morris’s loss of temper, combined with his drug use and sleep deprivation, contributed to his violent actions. The court heard that after the incident, the child was taken to Alder Hey Hospital, where her injuries were thoroughly examined, revealing additional small bruises and an old fracture to her left leg.

Morris was arrested and initially denied involvement, but he later admitted to lying about the circumstances, claiming he found the baby “lifeless in the cot” after hearing a thud upstairs. Medical experts, however, concluded that the injuries were caused by a force unlikely to be accidental, with some stating that only a minimal amount of force was necessary to cause such harm. The court emphasized that no underlying medical conditions could explain the injuries, reinforcing the conclusion that they were inflicted intentionally or through severe abuse.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 9 at Mold Crown Court, where it was made clear that custody was inevitable given the severity of the case and the evidence presented. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Old Colwyn, highlighting the devastating consequences of violent child abuse and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children.