Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

A doctor has stated during the trial of a man accused of murdering his two-month old baby son that scans indicated the child may have suffered an ‘inflicted injury’ to his head.

Sheffield Crown Court heard during an on-going trial how Leon Mathias, aged 33, of Stonebridge Lane, Great Houghton, Barnsley, denies assaulting and murdering his baby son, Hunter, who was taken to hospital with injuries on November 30, 2018, and died on December 3, 2018. Prosecuting barrister, Robert Smith KC, previously told the jury that the baby died in Sheffield Children’s Hospital as a result of a severe brain injury.

Neuroradiologist Dr Daniel Connolly said that following scans, imaging features could be consistent with an ‘inflicted injury’ however external trauma, infection, clotting and metabolic disorders could not be ruled out.

He added: “Something may have happened here where an inflicted injury may have been caused but I also have to say there are other possibilities.”

Sheffield Crown Court has heard how a South Yorkshire man who has denied murdering his baby son told police he had been bathing the child when he suddenly went floppy.

A CT scan showed no bruising outside the skull and there were no fractures to the skull, according to Dr Connolly, however there was some evidence of bleeding on the brain with no bruising to the surface of the brain. Dr Connolly said there was some evidence of bleeding and cerebral swelling but with no evidence of an impact injury.

However, a subsequent MRI scan showed further brain swelling, blood and injury around the spinal cord, and a peak of lactate suggested a lack of oxygen, according to Dr Connolly. Even though he said there may have been an inflicted injury, he stated there was no evidence of an impact injury and other possibilities could not be excluded.

Defence barrister Matthew McDonagh confirmed with Dr Connolly that the cardiac arrest and the significant period when Hunter had temporarily stopped breathing may have resulted in brain injury.

But Mr Smith, prosecuting, previously argued a post-mortem examination revealed bruising that was consistent with an impact injury to the head and scans also revealed three lower limb fractures, including one fracture which was believed to have occurred around the time of the head injury with the other two occurring days earlier.

Sheffield Crown Court has heard how a South Yorkshire man has pleaded not guilty to assaulting and murdering his baby son after the youngster was found to have suffered a severe head injury and three lower limb fractures.

He claimed Mathias had assaulted Hunter and later murdered his baby son possibly after he had lost his temper while the child was crying. Mr Smith claimed experts believe these injuries were closely associated with the shaking of a child, the twisting of limbs or swinging a child by the legs.

He previously said: “The prosecution’s case is that the defendant Leon Mathias, father of Hunter, is the person responsible for inflicting the head injuries resulting in Hunter’s death and he did so by physically holding Hunter by his legs and hitting him against a surface and he may also have shaken him at some time.”

The court heard Leon Mathias had been bathing Hunter on November 30, 2018 and after the youngster had been crying the defendant called for his partner Rebecca Higginbottom who dialled 999 and reported that Hunter had collapsed. Hunter was taken to Barnsley District General Hospital and transferred to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where he died a few days later.

Leon Mathias told police he had been bathing Hunter before he started crying and suddenly went floppy.

The trial continues.

Sheffield Crown Court: Doctor tells 'murder' trial jurors that baby may have suffered 'inflicted' head injury