Man found guilty of murdering his son in special care baby unit

A man was found guilty yesterday of murdering his two-week-old son in a special care baby unit by shattering his skull and breaking his neck while nurses worked less than five metres away.

- Steven Morris

Experts compared the injuries that Daniel Gunter, 27, had caused to Brendon Staddon to those they would expect in someone who had fallen from a high building, but the attack was so swift and silent that staff did not realise what was going on.

Gunter's former partner, Sophie Staddon, 21, was found not guilty of causing or allowing the death of her son, who was born prematurely. She was also in the unit in Somerset and the prosecution alleged she must have known the threat Gunter posed.

After the killing, which took place in the early hours, both parents left the unit for a cigarette as nurses and medics tried to save Brendon. As well as the skull and neck injuries, he was badly bruised and had broken legs, ankles and wrists.

A child safeguarding practice review is examining whether further measures should have been put in place to protect Brendon from his father, who had a history of violence. It will also look at the actions of social services, who knew the couple's issues and were considering whether to remove Brendon from them.