**Young Father Jailed for Shaking Infant in Swansea, Leaving Lifelong Injuries**
A father from Swansea has been imprisoned after violently shaking his weeks-old baby daughter, causing catastrophic brain injuries, and later attempting to deceive medical staff and police by claiming the family dog was responsible.
At Swansea Crown Court, prosecutors revealed that Dafydd Rutherford, now 22 but 19 at the time of the incident, caused multiple brain haemorrhages after becoming overwhelmed with his baby’s persistent crying. Medical experts stated the infant’s injuries were consistent with so-called ‘shaken baby syndrome’, leaving the child with severe, permanent impairments.
Medical staff at Morriston Hospital first raised concerns after the infant was brought in. Doctors observed bruising on the baby’s chest; shortly after arrival, the child suffered a seizure. Scans soon revealed brain bleeds on both sides and spinal cord injuries. She was transferred urgently to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where further tests uncovered additional bleeds and brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.
Both parents were arrested following the incident while authorities desperately tried to determine how the injuries had occurred. During police interviews, Rutherford initially denied injuring his daughter and insisted the household dog had knocked over her basket. He claimed to have only picked his daughter up after the supposed accident and then went into the kitchen while she slept.
However, under continued questioning, Rutherford confessed that he had lost his patience after the baby’s cries and the dog’s barking became unbearable. He admitted shaking the baby “three or four times”, but insisted he had only wanted her to stop crying and had not meant to harm her.
Prosecutor Megan Williams told the court the baby’s family has been “torn apart” by the ordeal, reporting that Rutherford’s failure to speak the truth immediately prevented medics from providing prompt, targeted care, potentially worsening his daughter’s outcome. An emotional victim impact statement described the family’s anguish, stating Rutherford “chose to help himself rather than help his child”.
During the sentencing hearing, Rutherford’s barrister explained that his actions were the result of “immaturity, impulsivity, and recklessness.” Stuart John, for the defence, argued that Rutherford, still a teenager at the time and with no prior convictions, had not been emotionally prepared for the realities of parenthood. John emphasised his client’s remorse and acknowledged he would live with the consequences of his choices forever.
Presiding, Judge Catherine Richards addressed the severe impact of the crime on both the infant and relatives. She stressed that Rutherford’s initial denial of guilt had compounded matters, as it delayed proper medical intervention and falsely implicated others in the household. Judge Richards stated such actions intensified the gravity of the case.
Having pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, Rutherford received a prison sentence of 28 months. He will serve up to half in custody, after which he must complete the remainder under licence in the community.
This distressing episode shines a light on the complex challenges faced by young, inexperienced parents and the irreversible consequences impulsive actions can inflict on the most vulnerable. The case also underscores the importance of honesty when seeking medical attention for a child, with delays in accurate reporting potentially leading to further harm and distress for all involved.
For families coping with the pressures of early parenthood, support services and helplines are available to offer guidance and mitigate the risk of harm under stress. This case, though profoundly tragic, serves as a reminder for communities and services to remain vigilant in supporting new parents and safeguarding young children.