Father convicted of murdering premature baby son in hospital

Daniel Gunter, 27, was found guilty of murdering his two-week-old son, Brendon Staddon, at Yeovil District Hospital after inflicting catastrophic injuries including a crushed skull, broken neck, jaw, legs, and ankles. Brendon, born prematurely at 33 weeks, was discovered with severe injuries in the special care baby unit on March 5, 2024, and despite nurses' attempts to resuscitate him, he had likely been dead for at least 30 minutes before help was called. Gunter was seen leaving the hospital for a cigarette after causing the fatal injuries, and witnesses described him becoming angry while caring for the infant. Brendon's mother, Sophie Staddon, 23, was acquitted of causing or allowing the death of a child, with some testimony indicating she may have been controlled by Gunter during their hospital stay. The case was described by police as one of the most distressing and challenging in recent memory, with the extent of the baby's injuries shocking investigators and jurors alike. Gunter, who has no fixed address, will be sentenced at a later date.