Man jailed for seriously injuring baby

A man has been jailed for seriously injuring a four-week-old baby on the Isle of Wight.

McCauley Silverthorne, aged 25 years, was convicted of causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm on 29 March this year, following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court which began on 27 February 2023.

The court heard that the baby was rushed to hospital on 13 March 2019, before doctors discovered the child had fractured ribs.

Child services were notified who then went on to notify police.

Medical examinations determined that the baby had suffered 29 fractures in total, with four of these relating to the legs and the remainder the ribs, in addition to serious head injuries.

Experts deemed these to be non-accidental injuries, and following a lengthy police investigation Silverthorne was charged on 15 June 2021.

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court today (Friday 7 July), Silverthorne, of Trafalgar Road in Newport, was sentenced to 5 ½ years in custody

The Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Liam Davies, said: “This was a truly horrific case involving a very young and vulnerable baby. The catalogue of serious and shocking injuries inflicted, including those to the child’s head have led to a long term risk to their health.

"This case has taken significant time and resources but shows our commitment to relentlessly pursuing criminals who inflict harm on vulnerable victims.

"I would also like to highlight Detective Sergeant Dan Hayward as the Investigating Officer. It is only through his dedication and tenacity, alongside support from colleagues that we have been able to bring Silverthorne to justice for this awful crime.”