Father found guilty of shaking 13-day-old son to death and causing ‘irreversible’ brain damage

A father has been found guilty of murdering his 13-day-old son by shaking him to death and causing “catastrophic and irreversible” brain damage.

Daniel Sanzone, from Wolverhampton, was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court of inflicting what medical experts described as some of the worst injuries they had seen to Joshua Millinson.

After the attack, 23-year-old Sanzone told Joshua’s mother, 19-year-old Zoe Howell, the thud she heard while she was out of the room was him dropping the remote.

Sanzone refused to give evidence throughout his three-week trial but it was heard from his partner that he could “sometimes be a bit rough”.

Medical experts said Joshua had "sustained catastrophic and irreversible damage to the brain and brain stem". Post-mortem examinations showed numerous fractures to the baby’s lower legs and rib cage, which doctors said were consistent with “bring gripped forcibly” and “twisting”.

Ms Howell was cleared of any wrongdoing and told police: “I can’t believe the dad has done it.”

The 19-year-old held a teddy throughout the trial and was often in tears.

Detective Inspector Jim Munro said: "This is a tragic case. Joshua was a totally vulnerable newborn child requiring complete love and care.

"It is horrifying to think of the violence and suffering he must have endured in his short life by a father who was supposed to look after and protect him.

"It is clear from the injuries Joshua suffered that Sanzone had repeatedly physically abused Joshua during his short life before inflicting the final fatal injury."

Sanzone was also found guilty of child cruelty and will be sentenced later this week.

Press Association contributed to this report