The parents of a two-week-old baby who was found with “catastrophic” injuries in his hospital cot left to smoke a cigarette while medical staff tried to revive him, a jury at Bristol Crown Court has heard.
Baby Brendon Staddon, born prematurely at 33 weeks, suffered such extensive trauma that one expert compared his injuries to those seen in victims of a multi-storey fall or a severe car crash. The court was told his skull was shattered, his neck broken, and he had fractures throughout his tiny body — including his jaw, legs, ankles, and wrists.
His parents, Daniel Gunter, 27, and Sophie Staddon, 21, are standing trial for murder and have also pleaded not guilty to charges of causing or allowing the death of a child.
Prosecutor Charles Row KC told jurors that Brendon had been doing well in a special care baby unit at Yeovil District Hospital after his birth in February last year. But in the early hours of March 5, 2024, Staddon went to the nursing station and asked staff to check on him, saying he felt cold.
“When nurses checked on Brendon, he was found in his cot with his babygrow open and his body showing signs of extreme and brutal violence,” Row said.
“He had been crushed with such force that his skull shattered. His entire body was bruised, and he had deep scratches to his neck. It was a scene of sheer brutality. There was hardly a part of his body uninjured.”
The court heard that Gunter had a history of controlling and abusive behavior toward Staddon. He allegedly shouted at her, threw objects, and even physically assaulted her. He was also said to control her finances, food, social life, and smoking habits, and had expressed doubts about being Brendon’s biological father.
Concerns about the couple’s ability to care for Brendon had already been raised before his birth, with authorities holding discussions about placing him in care.
Hospital staff were wary of Gunter’s behavior in the days before Brendon’s death. On March 4, tensions escalated when Gunter allegedly denied being the father, leaving Staddon visibly distressed. Security was alerted due to staff concerns over how the baby was being handled.
Around 3:30 a.m. on March 5, a nurse checked in on the family. Gunter reportedly responded with an unusually animated and “excited” tone. The baby was wrapped in a blanket, and the nurse could not see him clearly.
Just over half an hour later, Staddon told staff Brendon felt cold. When a nurse checked on him, she immediately sounded the alarm.
At 4:40 a.m., as doctors worked to save Brendon’s life, Gunter and Staddon left the ward to smoke a cigarette and never returned. “They made no effort to come back or ask about their baby’s condition,” Row said.
When arrested, Gunter told police: “She’s my witness and I’m her witness.” As he was led to a police van, he reportedly said to Staddon: “Promise me, stick together, yeah.”
The trial remains ongoing.
