Hartlepool man jailed for causing catastrophic brain injuries to young child by violent shaking

Andrew Woodhall shook the child for 90 seconds and bumped its head after losing his temper at the child’s crying, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The child, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, tragically suffered severe and lifelong brain injuries.

The youngster also suffers from a catalogue of related health problems that require around the clock care.

Woodhall, 24, was jailed for 27 months on Wednesday (September 30) after earlier pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The child’s mother described how her world ‘came crashing down’ because of Woodhall’s actions and told of her sadness at all the things her child will miss out on.

In a heartbreaking victim personal statement she wrote: “I will never hear [my child] tell me that [my child] loves me.

"I will never hear [my child] call me mummy. [My child] will not meet the majority of life’s milestones and has missed so many already.

"My life revolves around [my child] and every minute of every day is spent caring for [my child].

"I understand this is the role of a mother, however this is not how I pictured motherhood with [my child] and not the life [my child] should be leading.

"I have to stay strong because [my child] needs me, all day and every day.”

In two police interviews Woodhall indicated what he did was an accident before finally confessing the truth.

Andrew Turton, defending, described Woodhall as immature for his age and said he regretted he did not tell the truth sooner.

Mr Turton said he struggles every day to come to terms with those ‘moments of madness’.

He said: “His shame and remorse are genuine in this case.”

The court heard Woodhall, of Vincent Street, Hartlepool, was also of previous good character.

Jailing him, the Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Paul Watson said his actions have had ‘a truly destructive effect’ on the lives of the child and their mother.

He added: “This case serves as a tragic reminder of the fragility and vulnerability of small children.”

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