Burton man jailed for life for baby sexual abuse

A Burton man described as a “monster” who gained “sadistic enjoyment” from his crimes has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the sexual abuse and serious assault of a two-month-old baby.

Christopher Phillips, 34, of Kiln Park in Burton, was convicted following trial of multiple sexual and violent offences against an infant known as Baby C, dating back to January 2021.

Swansea Crown Court heard the 10-week-old infant was rushed to Glangwili Hospital in the early hours of 24 January 2021 with catastrophic injuries including a gaping tear to his anus. Medical examinations revealed the baby had also sustained a fractured ankle, fractured wrist, six broken ribs, bleeding on the brain, and testicular swelling.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Louise Newbury told the court the child was “in extreme distress” and required two doses of morphine – something she said she could “count on one hand” having administered to such a young baby in her 25-year medical career. She concluded the injuries were most likely caused by penetrative blunt force trauma.

Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC explained how Phillips had “demanded” to be allowed to change the baby’s nappy without supervision, and had “pestered and pestered” the child’s mother to leave them alone together. “Why would he – a man of 29 at the time, not that baby’s father – want that unfettered access?” Ms Rees asked the jury, adding that Phillips “clearly had a fascination with anal penetration.”

The court heard it was “no coincidence” that Baby C began suffering injuries and leaving blood in his nappy only after Phillips entered his life.

Phillips was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault by penetration, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was acquitted of two further GBH charges and two alternative offences relating to the wrist and ankle fractures.

Judge Paul Thomas KC, sentencing, described the case as the “most distressing” he had encountered in more than four decades presiding over crown court cases. “What you did to that eight to ten week old baby plumbed the depths of sexual depravity,” he told Phillips. “That utterly defenceless baby had his bottom ripped open. You got sadistic enjoyment out of what you were doing to the baby.”

Phillips received a life sentence and must register as a sex offender indefinitely. He will serve a minimum of 16 years and eight months before being considered for release, minus time already spent on remand.

His barrister, John Hipkin KC, conceded: “There is no mitigation with respect to the offences.”