EARBY: Man (32) jailed for ‘happy slapping’ murder of baby

Darren Newton (32), of Warwick Drive, Earby, was sentenced to a minimum 24 years behind bars for killing his girlfriend’s baby last November.

Fifteen-month-old Charlie Hunt suffered fatal injuries after Newton subjected him to a string of assaults for “wicked pleasure” and filmed them on his mobile phone.

Mum Laura Chapman (30) had no idea of the evil betrayal her boyfriend was wreaking on her household until Charlie died in hospital.

Sentencing Newton, the judge, Mr Justice Stephen Irwin, told him: “You have been rightly convicted of the murder of a young vulnerable boy who was in your care when you killed him.

“From June to November, you mistreated him increasingly and dreadfully.

“It was spiteful and cruel behaviour. It was also inexplicable to any normal way of thinking.”

Newton showed no emotion as he was convicted of murder after jurors, who were forced to watch the graphic clips during a three-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, took just 40 minutes to reach their unanimous verdict.

He had denied murder but admitted 12 charges of cruelty.

Outside court, Ms Chapman wept and said: “He is evil and twisted for what he did to Charlie. If I’d had any suspicions about what had been going on, then I would probably be in the dock for murder myself, I’d have killed Darren.

“I was hysterical when I had to watch the videos. It was extremely difficult to see someone you love that much get hurt by someone that you trusted.

“I entrusted him with the care of the one main in thing in my life and for him to do that is a betrayal of my son, myself and everything I know.

“I hate him; I hope he rots in hell.”

On November 19th last year, Charlie started convulsing while he was being looked after by Newton.

He was rushed to Airedale Hospital but despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead under two hours later.

Medical experts found a number of brain injuries suffered by Charlie which, in their opinion, were caused by blunt force.

He had retinal bleeds in both eyes, optic nerve damage, a swollen brain and recent bleeding to the brain.

Police seized Newton’s mobile phone during a search of their home and discovered a string of distressing clips which showed him filming the youngster’s suffering.

One clip entitled “shivering no water” was filmed as Charlie sat shivering naked in an empty bath after the water was let out.

Later the same day, Newton filmed himself hitting Charlie on the head repeatedly and then kicking him as the tot screamed in distress and entitled it “happy slap”.

The court heard that on the morning he died, Charlie seemed happy and well when he was with his mother and babysitter.

But at 2-30 p.m. that afternoon, Newton was left in sole charge of Charlie and by 5-45 p.m. the baby was dead.

Following the sentencing, Det. Chief Insp. Andy Murphy, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: “I am pleased with today’s verdict. This was a truly horrific and devastating crime committed by a man who has shown little or no remorse for his actions, or even offered any sort of explanation for what he has done.

“Darren Newton is clearly a violent and controlling man who will be spending a very long time behind bars. Charlie’s family have been left distraught by their loss and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.

“I would like to pay tribute to the dignified way they have conducted themselves throughout this ordeal and the trial.

“Nothing can bring Charlie back but I hope that the sentence handed down by the judge today will bring them some small comfort as they continue to try to come to terms with his death.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “I was appalled and angered when I first heard the details of toddler Charlie Hunt’s death and have been keeping a close eye on the case.

“I offer my heartfelt sympathy to his family and want people to know that we must leave no stone unturned in seeking answers to what happened.

“We owe it to Charlie to thoroughly investigate if his death could have been prevented and also what wider lessons we can learn from this tragic incident.”