Birmingham, England – A man in Walsall, England, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the manslaughter of his six-month-old son. David Hollick, 29, was found guilty of causing skull fractures and brain injuries that ultimately led to the baby’s death at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in 2020. While Hollick claimed the injuries resulted from an accidental fall while carrying his son, medical experts testified that the injuries were consistent with deliberate assault.
During the trial, it was revealed that the infant, Kairo, had suffered at least two skull fractures and a broken arm while under the care of his father, just days before his tragic death. The presiding judge, Mr. Justice Dove, emphasized that the injuries inflicted on Kairo were not accidental but the result of severe blunt force impact. He condemned Hollick’s actions, stating that there was a blatant breach of trust between a parent and child.
Prosecutor David Mason KC described the brutal nature of the attack, detailing how Kairo had been violently shaken and struck in the head multiple times with a hard object. Kairo’s mother, Adina Johnson, expressed her devastation in a victim impact statement, describing her son as a “dream baby” and lamenting the loss of her family’s wholeness due to Hollick’s actions.
Ms. Johnson accused Hollick of manipulating the jury with a false narrative to cover up his “inhumane” deeds. She highlighted the prolonged suffering endured by her family in the years following Kairo’s death. The trial painted a tragic picture of a young life cut short by senseless violence, leaving behind a grieving family grappling with the unimaginable loss.
Hollick’s sentencing marks the conclusion of a harrowing legal battle that exposed the dark reality of domestic violence and child abuse. The case serves as a grim reminder of the importance of protecting the most vulnerable members of society and holding perpetrators of such heinous crimes accountable for their actions. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, efforts to raise awareness and prevent similar incidents become crucial in safeguarding the well-being of children and families.