A MAN convicted of a series of violent and sexual offences against a baby aged no more than 10 weeks has been back before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, January 16) for sentence, as the prosecution set out the “horrific” impact on the child and his family.

Christopher Phillips was found guilty after a contested trial in which he denied responsibility and blamed others, including the baby’s father and the child’s mother, the court heard.

Opening the sentencing hearing, the prosecution said the jury convicted Phillips of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, including multiple fractured ribs and a bleed on the brain. He was also convicted of two counts of assault by penetration of a child under 13, as well as an assault occasioning actual bodily harm linked to bruising to the child’s testicle.

The most serious sexual count related to an incident on January 23 to 24, 2021, which the prosecutor said caused a deep laceration described by doctors as a catastrophic injury. The court was told the baby required morphine, which expert evidence suggested was “very, very rare” for a child of that age.

The earlier penetration count involved an injury the prosecution said was already healing.

The prosecutor told the judge that Phillips made no admissions in police interviews and continued to deny wrongdoing during the trial, but now accepts he was responsible for the injuries. However, the prosecution urged the court to take a “critical eye” to his account, saying he still did not explain the mechanism of what happened and had blamed other people for a prolonged period.

Victim personal statements were then placed before the court on behalf of the child, who is too young to speak for himself.

The child’s grandmother described the case as the kind of story “you may hear on the news” but said being directly involved “changes you forever.” She said the baby’s injuries could not be erased by any prison sentence and told the court the family lost almost a year with him while he was placed with foster carers during family court proceedings.

The statement said the child was fearful around men after the injuries and that the impact had been “devastating” for the wider family. The grandmother also described the trauma of the baby’s father being arrested at the outset of the investigation and treated as a suspect.

A statement from the baby’s father, read out in court at his request, described the pain of learning about the injuries after being arrested on January 24, 2021. He said he was “shattered” and had to face police questioning while fearing his son might not survive.

He told the court the baby was flown by air ambulance for surgery and that surgeons had considered fitting a colostomy bag due to the severity of the injury, but were ultimately able to repair it. He said the baby later showed distress when being changed on raised changing tables and became anxious during potty training, needing comfort.

The father said his son is now five and that the family cannot yet know the long-term psychological impact. He said the child has been referred for assessment as the family has noticed difficulties with frustration, compulsions, and anxiety-driven behaviours.

He also described the lasting effect on him, saying he has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and continues to receive support. He said one of the hardest issues he faces is deciding what to tell his son in future about what happened and when.

The court was also told Phillips had previous cautions for burglary and for importing a psychoactive substance, as well as a later conviction for importation of a psychoactive substance.

In submissions on sentence, the prosecution said the most serious offences carry a maximum of life imprisonment, and invited the court to treat the case as at “the upper end” of harm and culpability given the age and vulnerability of the baby, the severity of the injuries, and the period over which the offending occurred.

Sentencing is expected to follow after the court has heard from the defence and considered reports and legal submissions.

THE CASE CONTINUES

Judge criticises “long and inexcusable delay” as Saundersfoot man is jailed for 27 months

A COCAINE dealer who tried to conceal drugs in his underwear was caught with a high-purity stash worth more than £11,000, a court heard.

Thomas Groves, 37, of Whitlow, Saundersfoot, was arrested after police stopped his car in Carmarthen on Friday, April 8, 2022.

Prosecutor Sian Cutter told Swansea Crown Court officers searched the vehicle and seized Groves’s phone. During a further search, police found a bag of white powder hidden in his underwear.

Testing showed it contained 19.5g of cocaine at 75% purity, with an estimated street value of £11,400.

Judge Paul Thomas KC criticised Dyfed-Powys Police for what he called a “long and inexcusable delay” in bringing the case to court.

The judge noted that part of the delay was caused by Groves refusing to provide the PIN for his phone, but said the police also bore responsibility because of their “tardiness”. Ms Cutter apologised to the court for the time the case had taken.

Groves pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine. He has one previous conviction, for drink-driving in 2010.

Defence barrister Emily Bennett said Groves had recently become a father, after his partner gave birth two months ago. The court heard he was working as a supervisor at Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset and was well regarded.

Ms Bennett said Groves was a cocaine user at the time of the offence and had been supplying friends. She added: “The defendant knows he faces a custodial sentence today… This will be his first experience of custody.”

Sentencing him, Judge Thomas said the delay would be reflected in the final term. Groves was jailed for 27 months and will serve half in custody before being released on licence.

He is due to face a proceeds of crime hearing in May.

A 65-YEAR-OLD man who admitted stealing more than £27,000 from a registered charity has been given a suspended prison sentence after appearing at Crown Court on Thursday (Jan 15).

Howard Davies, of Carmarthen, pleaded guilty to defrauding Llanddarog and District Agricultural Society while acting as its treasurer. The court heard the offending took place between July 2018 and February 2024, with Davies admitting stealing £27,552.

Davies attended court aware that a custodial sentence was a likely outcome, and it was noted he arrived with a packed bag, indicating he expected to be sent to prison.

In mitigation, his barrister said Davies did not seek to minimise the seriousness of the offence and described his behaviour as “out of character”. The court was told his wife only became aware of the fraud after police became involved.

The defence also told the court a cheque had been prepared to repay the charity’s committee members, but said Davies had been unable to hand it over earlier because his bail conditions prevented him from contacting them.

“There is no reason why he could give the cheque today,” His Honour Judge Geraint Walters said.

The judge was highly critical of Davies’ conduct, describing him as a “crook and fraudster”. The offence was assessed as a Category 3A case.

After applying full credit for an early guilty plea — resulting in a one-third reduction — the court imposed a sentence of 22 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. Davies was also ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid unpaid work in the community.

Davies had previously appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court in December, where he admitted fraud by abuse of position. The case was then committed to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.