A husband and wife from Co Antrim who were found guilty of serious crimes against a four-week-old baby boy have been sentenced to 22 years and four years respectively.
During their trial last year, Newry Crown Court heard that when the newborn was admitted to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, doctors found that he had sustained a fractured skull, associated bleeding on his brain and retinas, a laceration to his liver, almost 30 fractures to his ribs and two fractures to each of his legs.
The assault left him blind and brain damaged.
The court heard that 35-year-old Christopher Fulton assaulted the baby in a fashion heard was "similar to a car crash" in terms of severity.
He was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of cruelty to a child.
His wife Amanda Fulton, 36, was found guilty of causing/allowing a child to suffer physical harm and cruelty to a child.
The pair are from Rockfield Gardens in Mosside near Ballymoney, Co Antrim.
During the trial, the court heard that in November 2019, Christopher Fulton contacted his GP surgery to say the baby - known as P - had a raw throat and was not drinking his bottle.
An appointment was set up later that day.
On examination, the doctor found P to be unresponsive to physical stimulus. He was transferred to the Causeway Hospital .
A paramedic said "he was pale like a dead body".
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The child was unresponsive to a heel prick and was found to be in a coma.
P was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast. He had then spent ten days in ICU fighting for his life.
The court heard that Christopher Futon had accompanied the child to hospital and was described as appearing unconcerned throughout - something the judge said was an aggravating factor.
P now has severe dystonic cerebral palsy, is effectively blind, has an intellectual disability, has epilepsy, can only communicate by crying and cannot be comforted when crying. He is fed by a feeding tube and has a life-limiting condition.
The judge said "the consequences have been devastating".
"It is totally inconceivable that with such a sick child they would not have sought immediate medical help.
"There are no mitigating factors in this case.
"No remorse and both maintain their denial of guilt."
In delivering a 22-year extended prison sentence to Christopher Fulton, Judge Peter Irvine KC said he "inflicted the life threatening injuries".
"You displayed aggressive behaviour to P before this and afterwards you showed disregard for his wellbeing."
In sentencing Amanda Fulton to four years, with two years on license, the judge said she "failed to protect" P knowing her husband "was quite capable of causing him serious harm".
"Your dereliction of duty is unforgivable," he said.
"The harm caused to him is irreversible."
Both were also served with a restraining order preventing them from contacting P in future.
