Dad struck and injured his own newborn son after flying into drunk rage

Dad struck and injured his own newborn son after flying into drunk rage Ernest Oakley lied to hospital staff about how his son was injured and continued to deny being involved after he was arrested A father struck his own 26-day-old son as he drunkenly lashed out at another person holding him. Ernest Oakley, 32, took his baby boy to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, telling medics that another young child had accidentally kicked the newborn in the head while he was on the sofa. The baby then became unwell and was transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where doctors raised concerns to police about the father's claims. Oakley was then arrested but continued to deny having any involvement in his son's injuries. It was only when a trial date was set that he finally admitted to lashing out while he was drunk at someone who was holding the newborn. The court was told the infant was struck in the process through the father's "recklessness". Oakley, of Swanton Road, Norwich, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) during the incident in November 2023. Sentencing him to 14 months imprisonment yesterday at Norwich Crown Court, Judge Katharine Moore said: "You have assaulted your 26-day-old son, having lashed out (at someone else) in temper, whilst drunk. Your infant son, albeit not intended but through recklessness, was struck also - causing an elevated area to the right-hand side of his head." Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Rachel Woods from Norfolk Police's Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: "This was an especially upsetting case, where a tiny baby was injured. Our team is dedicated to protecting children of all ages and will continue to bring those who seek to harm them before the courts."