2002: FATHER JAILED FOR SHAKING BABY TO DEATH IN BOLTON
2002: A man described as a 'loving and caring' father began serving a three-year prison sentence today after shaking his three-week-old baby daughter to death in an attempt to comfort her.Lee Hendry, 24, from Wasdale Avenue in Breightmet, Bolton, lacked experience in caring for infants.
He was left alone with his newborn, Candice, and shook her once because she would not stop crying.
The force of the shake caused her head to rock and resulted in a brain injury, which led to her death three days later.
Hendry contested murdering Candice but admitted to her manslaughter.
He received a three-year sentence at Manchester Crown Court yesterday.
During sentencing, Judge Mr Justice Sachs remarked, 'There is no suggestion that you were anything other than a loving father.
This incident resulted from your completely inappropriate shaking of a defenseless child.
It is a tragedy for you, the mother, and the child who was in your care.' Today, law enforcement and the NSPCC issued strong messages to parents, with an NSPCC representative emphasizing the need for better education for fathers about childcare.
She stated, 'This case highlights the importance of improved preparation for parenthood, including better antenatal advice on handling crying babies.' Detective Chief Inspector Dave Law, who led the initial investigation, warned, 'Babies are fragile.
Never shake a baby.
Candice died because her father was unable to cope with looking after her for just one hour.
If you're struggling to care for a baby, do not be embarrassed—seek help.' Judge Sachs also underlined the gravity of caring for any child, saying, 'There is no doubt that you must be imprisoned to show society's disapproval of violence against children, especially such a young one.'
