NATHAN ALLEN BRUTALLY KILLS 14-MONTH-OLD SON IN ROMFORD AND EAST LONDON

In a tragic and disturbing case that has shocked the community, Nathan Allen, a 27-year-old man from Romford, was sentenced to nine years in prison for the manslaughter of his 14-month-old son, Fletcher Allen. The incident occurred in January, and the case was brought before the Old Bailey, where Allen admitted to hitting his young son twice in the stomach while Fletcher was lying in his cot, overwhelmed by crying. Despite his admission, Allen was cleared of the more serious charge of murder, but the court found sufficient evidence to convict him of manslaughter.

Fletcher Allen tragically died in an east London hospital due to internal bleeding caused by a severe abdominal injury. The court heard that Allen was alone with his son for approximately thirty minutes before the fatal attack. During this time, Fletcher’s mother, Danielle Hands, 19, had left to visit her family, leaving her son in Allen’s sole care. The jury was informed that Allen’s actions resulted in devastating injuries to the toddler, including multiple bruises and internal trauma.

In his testimony during the trial, Allen described the moment he lost control, stating, “He was screaming and clinging to my arm. I hit him twice in the stomach. I didn’t know what else to do.” He expressed remorse, adding, “I realized my mistake immediately and said ‘sorry Fletcher’.” However, the court was not convinced by his explanation, especially given the evidence of extensive bruising and injuries on Fletcher’s body.

Judge Brian Barker, presiding over the case, sentenced Allen at the Old Bailey. He expressed skepticism regarding Allen’s account, noting that the child’s injuries indicated a pattern of violence. The judge stated, “Your reaction was aggressive and extreme. You will have to live with your actions for the rest of your life. This was a terrible act and you must take responsibility for your actions.”

The court also heard that Allen initially lied to police, claiming that Fletcher had drowned in the bath. However, post-mortem examinations revealed a more sinister picture. The police investigation uncovered evidence of previous abuse, including older fractures to two of Fletcher’s ribs and bruising on his face, neck, and torso. Detective Inspector Colin Welsh commented on the case, stating, “I strongly believe that Nathan Allen first seriously assaulted his son in the weeks leading up to this incident, when Fletcher suffered two broken ribs.”

The tragic details of the final attack were particularly harrowing. The police described a vicious assault during which Fletcher sustained another fractured rib, trauma to both kidneys, internal bleeding, and numerous bruises across his head, face, and body. Among the injuries was a “sadistic bite” to Fletcher’s face, highlighting the brutality of the attack. Allen’s attempt to cover up his actions by suggesting Fletcher had fallen and drowned in the bath was dismissed by authorities as a cynical lie meant to obscure the truth of his violence.