OLDHAM COUPLE RYAN BRIODY AND REBECCA STOTT SENTENCED FOR SHAKING BABY IN NOTTINGHAM

A tragic case involving a young child from Oldham has culminated in the sentencing of two individuals, Ryan Briody and Rebecca Stott, after they were found guilty of causing severe injuries to a defenseless infant. The incident, which took place during at least two separate episodes of shaking, resulted in the baby suffering from critical brain trauma and fractured ribs, leaving a lasting impact on the child's health and development.

Ryan Briody, aged 35, and Rebecca Stott, aged 29, were both convicted at Minshull Street Crown Court of causing or permitting serious physical harm to a child. Despite their convictions, both defendants, who originally hail from Oldham but are now residing at Ward Avenue in Nottingham, continue to deny any responsibility for the injuries inflicted upon the child. They have been unable to provide a clear explanation for the cause of the injuries, which has added to the complexity of the case.

The victim, a boy under the age of one, was brought to the Royal Oldham Hospital in August 2018 after caregivers noticed he was extremely unwell. Medical professionals conducted a series of detailed examinations, including multiple scans and procedures aimed at alleviating pressure on the child's brain. The initial diagnosis revealed a subdural hemorrhage, a serious form of brain bleeding often associated with violent shaking or trauma.

Further investigations uncovered additional injuries, notably fractured ribs, some of which were determined to be at least ten days old, indicating that the harm had occurred over a period of time. Medical experts testified that the injuries were consistent with a shaking mechanism inflicted by someone responsible for the child's care, and that these incidents had occurred on at least two separate occasions. The evidence confirmed that the injuries were caused by violent shaking, a conclusion supported by forensic analysis and expert testimony.

While the child eventually recovered from the immediate injuries, he was left with signs of slow developmental progress and faces the possibility of developing epilepsy in the future. The prognosis remains uncertain, and the long-term effects of the trauma are yet to be fully understood.

During the trial, both Briody and Stott maintained their innocence and pleaded with the court to avoid imprisonment. However, the jury, after a two-day deliberation, concluded that only these two individuals could have caused the injuries, based on the evidence presented. Judge Maurice Green sentenced both defendants to 27 months in prison, emphasizing the vulnerability of the young child and the gravity of inflicting such injuries on at least two separate occasions. The judge underscored that given the severity of the offenses, only a custodial sentence was appropriate to reflect the seriousness of their actions and to serve as a deterrent against similar conduct in the future.