A man caused severe brain injuries to his infant son, leaving him blind, after losing control due to excessive alcohol consumption. Christopher Yates endangered his seven-month-old baby’s life by violently shaking him, resulting in injuries akin to those from a high-speed collision. The violent incident occurred shortly after Yates had gained custody of his child, while he was intoxicated with alcohol and cocaine.
Despite facing issues with alcohol, Yates had obtained custody of his son upon discovering paternity. On the night of the assault in October last year, the baby’s continuous crying led Yates to shake him forcefully and utter profanities. Following the violent episode, Yates left the baby unattended for an hour, muffling the cries by wrapping a towel around his head.
Yates later admitted his actions were driven by frustration and desperation. He delayed seeking medical help for the infant and provided false information to medical personnel. Subsequently, it was revealed that the baby had sustained serious brain damage, seizures, and eye hemorrhaging, resulting in permanent blindness and a shortened life expectancy.
The court learned that Yates had a history of alcohol and drug abuse, known for his aggressive behavior while intoxicated. Despite family concerns about his ability to care for the baby, Yates failed to seek assistance from social services or the child’s foster parents. The baby, who was initially placed with foster carers, has since been returned to their care.
Yates was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to causing serious physical harm to the child. The judge highlighted the catastrophic consequences of Yates’ actions, emphasizing the irreversible impact on the baby’s life and the emotional distress inflicted on his caregivers. Yates, with a prior criminal record, expressed remorse for his actions, attributing his behavior to a lack of coping skills and childhood trauma.