Man who hurt baby and tried to cover it up jailed

A man who tried to cover up his assault on a four-week-old baby has been jailed.

Ernest Oakley, 32, from Swanton Road in Norwich, was sentenced to 14 months at Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday.

The court heard how he took the baby to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in November 2023, claiming another young child had accidentally kicked him in the head.

The baby was transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where doctors raised concerns about Oakley's account, Norfolk Police said.

He was arrested in November 2023 and charged the following April, after a detailed investigation to establish how the baby was injured.

Oakley continued to deny his involvement, but police said he changed his plea when a trial date was set.

He admitted getting drunk and lashing at a person who was holding the baby, which led to him inadvertently hitting the baby.

He then pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH).

Following sentencing, Det Con Rachel Woods from Norfolk Police's Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: "This was an especially upsetting case, where a tiny baby was injured.

"Our team is dedicated to protecting children of all ages and will continue to bring those who seek to harm them before the courts."

Oakley was jailed for five further years for his part in a separate crime: the theft of electrical cables.

Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.