Ollie Davis: Father guilty of murdering four-week-old baby

Ollie Davis has been described as a "sweet boy" by his wider family

The father of a four-week-old baby has been found guilty of his murder after his son's neck was broken.

Michael Davis's son, Ollie Davis, was found unresponsive at their home in Beaumont Leys, Leicester, in 2017.

Jurors were told Ollie suffered 23 broken ribs, fractures to his skull, collar bone, both arms and the joints of all his limbs prior to his death.

Following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, the boy's mother, Kayleigh Driver, was found not guilty of murder.

Driver, 31, was also cleared of a separate charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child, and causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical injury.

She was released on conditional bail.

Trial judge Mr Justice Cotter told 29-year-old Davis he faces a mandatory life sentence and remanded him in custody.

The pair, of Carlisle Street, Leicester, will be sentenced on 10 April at a court centre in Loughborough, the judge said.

Michael Davis, 29, has been convicted of his son's murder

In a statement, the boy's wider family said: "Ollie, you came into our world on 21 September 2017.

"You melted our hearts with those big blue eyes. Our little ray of sunshine.

"We have been left with such a void in our hearts. Ollie, life has never been the same.

"You will always be with us, our sweet boy.

"Until we meet again our little one. Catch all the love and kisses we send up to you."

'Defenceless newborn baby'

During the trial, the court heard Ollie was found lifeless in his crib in the bedroom that he shared with his parents at Upper Temple Walk in Leicester on the morning of 21 October 2017.

The jury heard the baby had died from the delayed effects of a broken neck and a post-mortem examination found he had a total of 40 bone fractures.

The injuries were inflicted over various overlapping timeframes of up to 10 days before his death, the court heard.

Jurors were told the fatal injury had happened between four and eight days before Ollie's death.

Leicestershire Police said medical experts found the fractures he sustained were non-accidental and must have been caused by serious physical abuse.

The nature of the injuries also revealed they were caused by inflicting harm in different ways including a blow to the head, twisting of the limbs and pulling the neck.

Det Con Natasha Batstone said: "Ollie was a defenceless newborn baby who was abused and ultimately killed by someone who should have protected and cared for him the most.

"I would like to thank all the witnesses who gave evidence in this trial and extend my heartfelt condolences to Ollie's wider family who can hopefully take some comfort now we have finally got justice for Ollie."

An NSPCC spokesperson added: "This shocking and deeply distressing case will leave many people asking questions.

"We hope the forthcoming child safeguarding practice review will provide at least some of the answers, with its learnings helping to strengthen practice that will reduce the likelihood of similar tragedies happening in the future."