Man found guilty of murdering 39-day-old son

James Dean Clark, 31, of Warmley, South Gloucestershire, denied being responsible for the death of Sean Clark
James Dean Clark, 31, of Warmley, had denied being responsible for the death of Sean Clark. (Avon and Somerset Police)

A father has been found guilty of murdering his 39-day-old son.

James Dean Clark, 31, of Warmley, South Gloucestershire, had denied being responsible for the death of Sean Clark.

However, he was convicted by a jury on Monday following a trial at Bristol Crown Court.

Sean was found unresponsive in his cot in January 2018.

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A post-mortem examination found that Sean had sustained a total of 74 fractures to his ribs and two head injuries.

There was evidence that some of the injuries were not recent and had begun to heal.

The jury heard the injuries were consistent with Sean having been shaken violently shortly before his death.

Sean’s mother, Helen Jeremy, 27, of Kingswood, was acquitted of causing or allowing his death.

Clark will be sentenced at the same court on 24 September.

Superintendent James Riccio, the senior investigating officer, said: “James Clark is responsible for the most repulsive and hideous of crimes – the murder of a defenceless child.

“All of my team have been truly shocked at the lack of remorse shown by him throughout this investigation and subsequent trial which has taken more than 3.5 years to conclude.

“The evidence showed quite clearly Sean was subjected to multiple assaults which had been committed on a number of separate occasions and we fought hard to secure the charges and compile the evidence to put in front of a court.

“As his father, he should have protected him not inflict pain and suffering on him.”

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