A man whose month-old son died after suffering a “snapped” neck and more than 20 broken ribs has been found guilty of murder.
Michael Davis was convicted of Ollie Davis’s death at Leicester Crown Court on Friday – while the baby’s mother, Kayleigh Driver, was cleared of murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Driver was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child, and causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical injury.
Ollie was found lifeless in his bedroom in Leicester in October 2017 having sustained fractures to his skull, collar bone, both arms and the joints of all his limbs.
The two-month trial heard the baby’s “neck was snapped between four and eight days prior to his death”.
Prosecutor John Hankin KC had told the jury: “Ollie could not have caused the injuries to himself – he was a five-week-old pre-mobile baby.
“A broken neck was not the only injury Ollie sustained. Medical investigation revealed Ollie had sustained a total of 37 fractures.
“He also suffered brain injuries, bleeding over the surface of the brain.”
Mr Hankin said Ollie was subjected to serious physical abuse “most likely to have taken place during the last 10 days of his life”.
Ollie’s wider family paid tribute to him in a statement issued through Leicestershire Police.
They 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.
“Your loving broken-hearted family.”
Davis, 29, has been remanded in custody and told he faces a mandatory life sentence – while Driver, 31, has been granted conditional bail.
Both will be sentenced on 10 April at a court centre in Loughborough.
Driver had made court appearances using a mobility scooter after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year.
