Wirral family’s fury at father who shook three-week old baby son

Feb 3 2010 by Laura Jones, Wallasey News

THE grandmother of a baby boy left brain damaged by his dad has told of the family’s devastation.

Anthony Payne was just three weeks old when he was shaken violently by his jealous father Dean Hodkinson.

Last week the 21-year-old was jailed for two years and eight months for the attack on his defenceless son.

Anthony’s grandmother, Carol Payne, has spoken out to put the record straight and tell of the tragic consequences of Hodkinson’s rage on both her and her daughter – the baby’s mum Cara.

Her previously healthy grandson suffered bleeding and damage to the brain, fractures to at least 17 ribs and breaks to his collar bones and both shoulders.

The 36-year-old, from Wallasey, said: “The doctors have given Anthony a life expectancy of between five and 10 years.

“He has cerebral palsy and West Syndrome so he fits up to 50 times a day and he’s on the maximum amount of medication.

“ I hate seeing him like that.

“The police told us that they thought they were going to have a murder investigation on their hands and that they used to say a prayer for Anthony.”

At the time of the attack, Hodkinson was staying with Anthony’s mum and grandmother at their Poulton Road home in Wallasey.

On the morning of August 9, 2008, he went downstairs alone with the baby before going back upstairs around 20 minutes later and asking Cara: “What does it mean when the baby goes all floppy?”

For Carol Hodkinson’s sentence, which could see him apply for parole in nine months time, isn’t enough.

She said: “It makes you ask ‘is that what a life’s worth?’ – Anthony has to live with those injuries for the rest of his life.”

Former squaddie Hodkinson denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent and grievous bodily harm.

And last April a Liverpool Crown Court jury failed to reach a verdict.

But last month, as his retrial was due to begin, Hodkinson pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.