A father who was found guilty of murdering his two-week old baby on a neonatal ward has been handed a life sentence, with a minimum term of 20 years
Brendon Staddon, who was born prematurely at 33 weeks, died in hospital on 5 March 2024
The prosecution told Bristol Crown Court earlier that Brendon's father Daniel Gunter had "a clear intention to kill" his son
The Honourable Mr Justice Swift said he is was "not satisfied there was any mitigating factors"
A statement from the baby's grandfather said Brendon "didn't even have a chance to give us his first smile"
The defence said Gunter had emotional difficulties and a "tough childhood"
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this case, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line
Please be aware - some of the details in this case are distressing, and may be raised again during the sentencing.
If you have been affected by these issues, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line.
Leigh Boobyer
at Bristol Crown Court
Warning: This post contains details that some may find distressing, including details of severe injuries.
Charles Row KC, prosecuting, says Gunter was “rough” with Brendon and became angry when things did not go to plan.
Relatives had to intervene, he says, and Gunter threatened to have a nurse sacked.
Mr Row says Brendon received "catastrophic injuries" at Gunter's hands and suffered internal bleeding and broken bones.
In the final incident, Brendon "died, or was dying" in Gunter's arms after a cardiac arrest, Mr Row says.
We are in Bristol Crown Court now where the sentencing of Daniel Gunter has begun.
A reminder to our readers that the details in this case are distressing, and may be raised again during the sentencing.
If you have been affected by these issues, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line.
Warning: This post contains details that some may find distressing.
Brendon was born on 20 February 2024. His parents left him at the hospital on 29 February and did not return until the afternoon of 4 March.
At about 04:00 GMT the following morning, Ms Staddon asked staff to check on Brendon because he was “cold”.
Nurses discovered Brendon in his cot and could immediately see he had suffered catastrophic injuries, jurors were told.
Ms Staddon began “crying hysterically” while staff began resuscitation, the jury heard, and Gunter told her “let them do what they need to do”.
The pair then went to smoke while medics tried to save Brendon’s life, the court was told.
Dr David Sweet, who reviewed baby Brendon's death, concluded he must have suffered his injuries at least 25 to 30 minutes before the couple raised the alarm, jurors heard.
Gunter’s aunt, Louise Besica, visited her great-nephew in hospital on 22 February last year, two days after his birth.
During the trial, she told jurors Gunter became angry after being told by a nurse he had to wait 20 minutes to pick up his son, because the infant had just been fed through his nasogastric tube.
"His words were: 'It's not up to the nurses to tell me what to do'," she told the court.
"He went red in the face and his voice had gone higher. He was saying he was his baby and he should be allowed to change him," she added.
Image source, Avon and Somerset PoliceWarning: This post contains details that some may find distressing, including details of severe injuries.
The trial revealed many shocking details about the mistreatment Brendon suffered in his short life.
Hospital staff had concerns about Gunter’s behaviour towards his son, which included his repeated rough handling of the baby, who was already incredibly vulnerable because of his prematurity.
The court was told Gunter repeatedly ignored the advice of nurses to let Brendon rest.
He took him out of his incubator without asking, overstimulated him to the point of causing him distress and removed his nasal gastric tube, jurors were told.
A warning to our readers and viewers, some of the details in this case are distressing, and may be raised again during the sentencing.
If you have been affected by these issues, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line.
Warning: This post contains details that some may find distressing.
A 27-year-old man who murdered his two-week old baby on a neonatal ward is due to be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court this morning.
Daniel Gunter, of no fixed address, was convicted of his son's murder in July.
Brendon Staddon, who was born prematurely at 33 weeks, suffered multiple injuries at Yeovil District Hospital's special care baby unit on 5 March 2024.
The baby’s mother, Sophie Staddon, was acquitted of a lesser charge of causing or allowing the death of a child. A charge of murder against her was dropped during trial.
Image source, Avon and Somerset Police