A dad has been locked up for six and a half years after shaking his four-week-old son so violently that the baby died years later from the injuries.
Shocking Attack on Baby Leo in Kirkby
Mehmet Tufan, 30, from Dovecot, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, September 29. The nightmare began in April 2018 when baby Leo Williams was rushed to hospital with life-changing injuries caused by his father’s brutal shaking.
Tufan was originally jailed for two years in 2019 on a lesser assault charge. But Leo’s injuries were catastrophic. After months in intensive care, Leo was well enough to be cared for at home by his mum and family.
Devastating Loss After Years of Suffering
Tragically, Leo passed away in December 2022 at just four years old, at Claire House Hospice. Doctors confirmed his death was directly linked to those early injuries. Following a new investigation, Tufan upgraded his plea to manslaughter.
Leo’s mother told the court: “Life will never be the same without Leo. He was my everything and in a way he still is. I will forever walk around with a piece of my heart missing, hoping that this piece will be replaced when we meet again in a world where Leo no longer has pain… I will miss you forever my beautiful boy.”
She added the pain of caring for Leo was overwhelming: “My world completely shattered that day… Leo was just five weeks old when you attacked him. It was incredibly painful for me and my family to see Leo in so much pain and suffering and knowing I could not take that pain away from him.”
Police Condemn Father’s Actions
Detective Sergeant David Bruce called Tufan’s actions a “shocking betrayal.”
“Leo was just a baby when he was hurt by the very person who should have kept him safe. Instead, his injuries left him fighting for life in intensive care,” said DS Bruce.
He praised Leo’s family for their strength through the heartbreaking ordeal. “Leo’s death at such a young age is utterly tragic. Our thoughts remain with his grieving family.”
