A father has been sentenced for killing his three-month-old son after shaking him violently while caring for him.

Gareth Stark, 38 and of Stafford, was sentenced today (15 May 2026) at Birmingham Crown Court to nine years' imprisonment for causing the death of baby Leon. He had previously pleaded guilty at the same court to manslaughter and battery in January this year.

On 12 October 2023, Stark was solely caring for Leon when he violently shook the baby, causing catastrophic brain and spinal injuries.

Leon was taken to Royal Stoke Hospital where he received emergency care. He died on 20 October 2023.

During his police interview, Stark claimed he had found Leon unresponsive and was unable to describe any incident when Leon may have suffered trauma.

In a subsequent police interview about two weeks later, Stark entered no comment to all questions asked.

Medical experts confirmed Leon's injuries were caused by violent shaking and that there was no disease or disorder capable of causing his death.

During the police investigation, CCTV footage was recovered from a KFC restaurant which showed Stark striking Leon on 9 October 2023, three days before the fatal assault. Today, he was also sentenced to one months’ imprisonment to be served concurrently for battery in relation to that offence.

James Leslie Francis from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "As a father, Gareth Stark had a fundamental duty to love and protect his son. Instead, he betrayed that trust in the most devastating way imaginable, causing injuries so severe that Leon did not survive.

"He misled paramedics and investigators, claiming he had simply found Leon unresponsive. It was only through meticulous police investigation, expert medical evidence, and CCTV footage that the truth of his offending came to light.

"The Crown Prosecution Service will vigorously prosecute those who inflict harm on children and those who cannot protect themselves to ensure they face the full force of the law.

"We hope that seeing Gareth Stark sentenced today brings Leon’s family and loved ones a small measure of comfort at an incredibly painful time."