SYED RAZA SHAKES BABY NEPHEW IN BURNLEY LEAVING HIM BRAIN-INJURED AND DISABLED

In March 2011, a tragic case unfolded in Burnley involving a young man named Syed Raza, who was sentenced to 28 months in prison after causing severe injuries to his seven-month-old nephew, Sarfraz Hussain Shah. The incident has left the child profoundly disabled and has shocked the local community and beyond.

Burnley Crown Court heard that Raza, aged 23 at the time, had been entrusted with the care of Sarfraz for extended periods, sometimes up to 16 hours a day. This caregiving responsibility came after the death of Sarfraz's mother, who was Raza's sister. The young boy had been born three months prematurely via Caesarean section while his mother was gravely ill. Due to his fragile health, Sarfraz was not allowed to go home until he was four months old, requiring intensive care and constant attention.

It was revealed during the court proceedings that Raza, who had arrived in the United Kingdom in December 2009, had been present at his sister’s bedside throughout her battle with cancer, which ultimately claimed her life on January 2 of the previous year. Following her death, Raza took on the sole responsibility of caring for Sarfraz, especially after the child's father, Imtiaz Hussain, returned to work. Despite having no prior experience in child care, Raza dedicated himself to the task and formed a bond with the infant.

The turning point in this tragic story occurred on June 13 of the previous year. According to court reports, Raza panicked when Sarfraz appeared to be choking after a feed. In an attempt to help the child breathe, Raza shook him vigorously. Unfortunately, he continued to shake the baby even after the initial attempt to assist him, which led to the child's collapse. Raza later admitted that his actions caused the injury.

It was also disclosed that just a month prior, a health worker had observed Raza shaking Sarfraz to encourage him to feed from a bottle and had advised him against such actions. Despite this warning, Raza's subsequent behavior resulted in severe injuries to the infant. Sarfraz sustained extensive brain injuries and retinal bleeding in both eyes, injuries that were initially life-threatening.

Medical experts described Sarfraz as now being profoundly disabled. He is unable to fix his eyes on people, and doctors suspect his vision is significantly impaired. The injuries showed no signs of previous abuse, indicating that this was a singular, tragic incident rather than ongoing maltreatment.

The court also heard that Sarfraz's father, who had two other children with his late wife, found it difficult to accept that Raza could have committed such an act. Raza, residing on Hutton Drive in Burnley, had earlier pleaded guilty to child cruelty. Following his sentencing, he faces possible deportation from the UK.

Judge Graham Knowles, QC, delivered the sentence and emphasized the lifelong impact of Raza’s actions. He stated that Raza would have to live with the consequences of his behavior for the rest of his life and that Sarfraz’s family would never fully know the child or the young man he might have become. The judge described the case as profoundly tragic, underscoring the devastating effect on all involved and highlighting that for Sarfraz, this is not just a case but a lifelong tragedy.