Ex-soldier accused of injuring his baby son was allegedly ‘hyped up’ afterwards

Apr 2 2009 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Echo

A FORMER soldier accused of causing grievous bodily harm to his three-week-old son was “hyped up” afterwards, a court was told.

Dean Hodkinson, 20, of Wallasey, is alleged to have used such “grossly excessive force” that the child – who cannot be named for legal reasons – is left permanently disabled.

Giving evidence yesterday, the boy’s mother – who also cannot be named – said Hodkinson seemed to be “enjoying the police involvement” after the baby was admitted to intensive care with bleeding and damage to the brain, up to 17 fractured ribs, as well as fractures to both his collar bones and shoulders.

The hearing yesterday was regularly interrupted as the mother wept while giving evidence.

Under questioning by Stuart Driver, QC, prosecuting, she said: “He (Hodkinson) didn’t seem concerned about his son who was in hospital.”

She said Hodkinson told her “the police will try and pin this on me.”

When Mr Driver asked her, “did you ever see Dean shed a tear?” she replied “no.”

Mr Driver said that because of the brain injuries suffered by the child, he would probably have cerebral palsy affecting all four of his limbs.