Father who murdered four-week-old son in ‘fit of anger’ jailed for life

Tony Bartlett, 39, of Axminster, Devon, was ordered to serve a minimum of 18 years for the murder of his baby son, Atticus Tony Bartlett, 39, of Axminster, Devon, was ordered to serve a minimum of 18 years for the murder of his baby son, Atticus A father who murdered his four-week-old son by shaking him has been jailed for a minimum of 18 years. Atticus Bartlett died in hospital after collapsing at his family home in Chard, Somerset, on July 16, 2022. Tony Bartlett, 39, from Axminster, Devon, was convicted of murder following a trial at Bristol Crown Court. The jury found Bartlett violently shook Atticus, causing severe internal injuries to the baby’s brain and spinal cord.

Mr Justice Cavanagh sentenced Bartlett, formerly a postman, to life imprisonment and ordered him to serve a minimum of 18 years. The judge told Bartlett he was “very drunk” when he carried out the fatal attack on Atticus, adding: “I have no doubt that this terrible tragedy would not have happened if you were not so heavily intoxicated. He said Bartlett had been feeding Atticus with a bottle and the baby was bringing up the milk.”