LEE VERNON OF BROADSTAIRS SENTENCED FOR MURDERING SIX-WEEK-OLD SON IN KENT

In a tragic and heart-wrenching case that has shocked the community of Broadstairs, Kent, a father named Lee Vernon was convicted of the brutal murder of his six-week-old son, McKenzie Ellis. The incident occurred in July of the previous year, leading to a series of devastating injuries that ultimately resulted in the infant's death.

McKenzie Ellis was only six weeks old when he suffered fatal injuries, including a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, and multiple fractures across his tiny body. The severity of his injuries was revealed during a trial at Maidstone Crown Court, where Vernon was found guilty of his son's murder. The court heard that McKenzie was taken to a hospital in Margate on July 23, 2018, in an unresponsive and unconscious state. Medical examinations uncovered a severe brain bleed, a broken collarbone, five fractured ribs on one side, and six on the other, indicating a pattern of significant trauma.

Following the initial hospital assessment, McKenzie was transferred to London's King’s College Hospital, where his condition deteriorated further. Despite efforts to save him, the infant was placed on life support, and tragically, his life was ended on July 26, 2018, when the medical team turned off the life-support machine.

During the trial, McKenzie's mother, Katrina Ellis, delivered an emotional victim impact statement. She expressed her deep anguish and anger, stating, “I feel so much hate for Lee now and I just want to see him never come out of prison for what he has done. I only had McKenzie for six weeks but those six weeks were the best in my life.” Her words underscored the profound loss and heartbreak caused by Vernon’s actions.

Vernon, 21 years old at the time, claimed that he had accidentally dropped his son and, in a panic, tried to revive him by hugging and squeezing the baby. However, prosecutor Steven Perian QC dismissed this explanation as a manipulative lie, pointing out that Vernon’s account was inconsistent with the medical evidence. The court found that Vernon’s actions constituted a significant breach of trust and a gross violation of his responsibilities as a father.

In sentencing, Mr. Justice Nicklin emphasized the vulnerability of McKenzie due to his very young age. He stated, “The evidence during the trial suggests that McKenzie was in significant pain as a result of these historic injuries that affected his sleep and his eating.” Vernon was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years for the murder. Additionally, he was convicted of two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, for which he received a concurrent sentence of six years. The judge’s decision reflects the gravity of the crime and the profound impact on the victim’s family and the community of Broadstairs.