NICHOLAS O’ROURKE SHAKES BABY IN LINCOLN: HORRIFIC INJURIES LEAVE INFANT FIGHTING FOR LIFE

In a disturbing incident that has shocked the community of Lincoln, a seven-week-old baby girl was subjected to severe physical trauma after her caregiver, Nicholas O’Rourke, lost his temper during a moment of frustration. The incident occurred at O’Rourke’s flat in Lincoln, where he was entrusted with the care of the infant on his own. According to court proceedings, O’Rourke, 20 years old and residing on Cotman Road in Lincoln, was left alone with the baby when the injuries took place.

Prosecutor Katya Saudek detailed how, upon returning the child to her mother, the mother immediately noticed alarming signs of injury. The baby was crying loudly and appeared distressed, but what drew her attention were the visible bruises on her face and the fact that one of her eyes was swollen shut. The mother initially believed that the injuries might have been caused by the baby rolling out of bed, as O’Rourke had previously claimed. However, her suspicions grew when the baby vomited during feeding, indicating that something was seriously wrong.

Realizing the severity of the situation, the mother promptly called an ambulance. The infant was rushed to Lincoln County Hospital, where medical staff discovered extensive bruising across her face, head, chest, and abdomen. Doctors initially feared that the injuries could be life-threatening. A series of scans revealed bleeding within the baby’s brain, along with multiple other injuries including a fractured skull, bruising around her eyes and face, broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a possible fracture at the back of her head. The trauma was so severe that the baby was diagnosed with epilepsy as a consequence of the attack.

Despite the gravity of her injuries, medical assessments later confirmed that the baby had not suffered catastrophic brain damage. Nevertheless, her prognosis remains uncertain, with concerns that she may face long-term challenges such as learning difficulties and other developmental issues. The extent of her recovery and future health remains to be seen.

Following the incident, O’Rourke was arrested and initially maintained that the injuries resulted from the baby rolling off the bed. However, he eventually admitted to losing control because the child would not stop crying. He confessed to shaking her three or four times, but claimed that during the process, she slipped from his grasp and fell onto the concrete floor. This account was part of his plea, which led to further legal action.

Earlier in 2012, O’Rourke had already admitted to inflicting grievous bodily harm related to this incident. He was subsequently sentenced to 20 months in a young offenders’ institution. During sentencing, Recorder Sam Mainds condemned his actions, describing the shaking and dropping of the baby as “horrendous and disgraceful conduct.” The judge also highlighted O’Rourke’s troubled background, noting that his mother died when he was just 10 years old, which contributed to a fractured and disjointed childhood.

The court acknowledged that the baby’s mother was not at fault for leaving her in O’Rourke’s care, as she had previously entrusted her to him on multiple occasions without incident. The defense, represented by Jonathan Straw, argued that the injuries resulted from a single episode of loss of control, emphasizing O’Rourke’s difficult upbringing and suggesting that his actions were driven more by inadequacy than malice. The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of proper supervision and the devastating consequences when care is mishandled in Lincoln.