TIMURAS KOZLOV FROM ENNISKILLEN SENTENCED AFTER BABY’S NEAR-FATAL FALL FROM SECOND FLOOR WINDOW
In a case that has shocked the community of Enniskillen, a 21-year-old man named Timuras Kozlov has been sentenced to serve 15 months in prison following a distressing incident involving a young infant.The incident occurred on Saturday, May 6, 2017, and has since garnered significant attention due to the severity of the injury inflicted on the six-month-old baby.
According to court reports, Kozlov, who resides on Derrychara Drive in Enniskillen, was present at a flat on Castlecoole Road where he was visiting with his cousin.
The gathering included the baby’s mother, and alcohol was being consumed during the visit.
During this time, Kozlov was left in charge of the infant and an older sibling while the mother and his cousin went to another room.
It was during this period that the tragic event unfolded.
Prosecutor QC Jackie Orr explained to the court that Kozlov later admitted to police that he had no prior experience caring for children and was unsure of how to handle the crying infant.
The court heard that Kozlov lifted the crying baby from his floor-based baby chair, an act that marked his first time holding or lifting a young child.
While holding the infant near an open window, Kozlov was distracted by the older sibling, which led to a catastrophic accident.
As he turned his attention away, the baby slipped from his grasp and fell out of the window, plunging approximately 23 feet, or around seven meters, to the ground below.
Remarkably, the court was told that the injuries sustained by the baby could have been far worse.
The child’s fall was captured on CCTV footage, which showed Kozlov running down the stairs into the street to retrieve the fallen infant.
Upon returning to the flat, Kozlov did not disclose what had happened and quickly left the scene.
The court was informed that medical staff at South West Acute Hospital were initially unaware of the true cause of the injuries, believing instead that the baby had fallen from a cot.
Judge Fowler addressed the court, emphasizing the potential for serious, even life-threatening, consequences had the injuries been more severe.
Fortunately, the baby did not sustain catastrophic injuries, but the incident could have easily resulted in permanent harm.
The judge acknowledged Kozlov’s high level of culpability but also noted mitigating factors such as his guilty plea, youth, a clean record, and inexperience with children.
As a result, Kozlov was sentenced to 15 months in prison, with an additional 15 months to be served on license.
He was also disqualified from working with children under the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 and ordered to pay a £50 offender levy.
Having already served time since his arrest, Kozlov, who has been in custody since the incident, is expected to be deported back to Lithuania within the next three months.
