British teenager jailed for killing baby daughter

A 17-year-old British youth was jailed for two-and-a-half years today for shaking his baby daughter to death while visiting her in hospital.

Joshua Bacon, from St Helens, Merseyside, was found guilty of manslaughter at an earlier trial, after his seven-week-old daughter Caitlyn Smith died from severe head injuries.

The little girl was being treated for a urine infection in hospital when Bacon attacked her on January 12 last year.

She was found unconscious in her cot by a nurse at Ormskirk and District General Hospital, Preston Crown Court heard.

The little girl was transferred to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool but tragically died from her injuries.

Bacon was charged with murder but this was reduced to manslaughter during the three-and-a-half-week trial last month.

In a statement after his conviction, Caitlyn’s mother Danielle Smith said her ex-partner had ruined a number of lives.

She said: “He stole the life of my beautiful angel, Caitlyn, and ruined my life and that of my family.

“The sickening injuries he inflicted on my innocent, defenceless seven-week-old daughter on that day in that hospital room were horrific.

“He was her father and was trusted to look after and care for his daughter but instead once alone he caused her massive injuries that led to her death.

“I only had my daughter for a very short time but I will never forget her smile and the feeling of holding her in my arms.”

Det Chief Insp Andy Murphy, from Lancashire Police, who led the investigation, said the sentence reflects that there are “no winners in this case”.

He said: “Even though Joshua has today been sent to prison for his daughter’s manslaughter, that will be of little consolation to Caitlyn’s family who still mourn their loss.

“Joshua has never accepted responsibility and has never explained his actions. Only he knows what really happened.

“My thoughts, and those of the investigating team, are very much with Caitlyn’s family, particularly her mother who was so tragically bereaved.”