A MONSTER dad has been jailed for murdering his premature son in hospital by snapping his neck as nurses stood just metres away.
Brendon Staddon, who was just two weeks old, suffered injuries likened to a fall from a high rise building.
PABaby Brendon was murdered by his dad in hospital[/caption]
Daniel Gunter casually smoked as medics battled to save his sonUnpixs
PAHe has now been jailed for life[/caption]
Dad Daniel Gunter, 25, smashed the baby’s head against a wall and snapped his neck in an attack so silent and swift, staff did not realise what had happened.
After the horror, CCTV showed Gunter and partner Sophie Staddon going outside for a cigarette as medics battle to save Brendon.
Gunter has now been jailed for life with a minimum of 20 years after he was previously convicted of murder.
Staddon was cleared of causing or allowing the death of her son at Yeovil District Hospital in March 2024.
Bristol Crown Court heard Brendon was born seven weeks early weighing less than “a couple of bags of sugar”.
During his time on the ward, Gunter repeatedly took Brendon out of an incubator despite staff telling him not to and on one occasion was suspected of removing a nasal tube.
The dad was also reprimanded by staff for jiggling, poking and rubbing Brendon.
After his condition had improved and the tot was due to be discharged to a mother and baby unit.
At the time, Gunter and Staddon were homeless and living in temporary accommodation in a former pub in Yeovil.
The brute feared he would be separated from Staddon, who he had controlled throughout their relationship, when she moved to the special unit.
He pretended to cuddle his son before slamming his tiny body against a brick wall.
Little Brendon suffered a shattered skull in the horror and a broken neck, jaw, legs, ankles and wrists.
At around 4am on March 5, Staddon approached two nurses and asked them to check on the tot.
Doctors and nurses tried desperately to do everything they could but Brendon did not respond.
Meanwhile, Staddon and Gunter went outside to smoke and did not once asked how their son was or return to the ward.
When police arrived, Gunter told them: “She’s my witness and I’m her witness.”
As he was being led to a van, he said to Staddon: “Promise me, stick together.”
Staddon was charged after prosecutors argued she must have known the threat Gunter posed.
But she was found not guilty of murder and cleared of causing or allowing the death of a child on the direction of the trial judge, Mr Justice Swift.
A child safeguarding practice review has now been launched to examine whether further measures should have been put in place to protect Brendon from his violent dad.
It will also look at the actions of social services, who were aware of the couple’s issues and were considering whether to remove Brendon from their care amid concerns for his wellbeing.
Senior Investigating Officer Det Ch Insp Nadine Partridge, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Gunter’s actions against Brendon are diabolical and that innocent baby has had a potential happy and long future taken away from him.
“The injuries which Brendon sustained were catastrophic and there wasn’t a part of his body which wasn’t bruised or broken. To think someone could do such vicious things to an innocent child does break my heart.
“I would like to give my condolences to Brendon’s wider family, who have all been affected by his death and they have been incredibly brave when supporting the investigation.
“This has been a long and complex investigation, involving several different departments and outside agencies, and I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to everyone who assisted us in getting this case across the line and brought before judge and jury.”
Jon RowleyMum Sophie Staddon was cleared of her involvement in the horror[/caption]
The pair failed to return to the hospital after Brendon was attacked
Gunter was arrested for causing his son horrific injuries Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
