Man Jailed After Baby Death

20 July 2011, 16:17 | Updated: 20 July 2011, 16:38

A man from the Thames Valley has been jailed for 6 years over the death of a 4-month-old baby boy in Oxfordshire.

Thomas Preece died after being taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with a severe head injury on June 29th 2009.

26 year-old Colin Scholey - from Blounts Court Road in Sonning Common - had denied shaking the baby in his care but was found guilty of manslaughter at Reading Crown Court.

Det Supt Karen Trego, who headed the investigation, said she was pleased with today's result.

 "This has been a very difficult time for Thomas' family, with emotions running high as they have to relive the ordeal. I hope this verdict can help give them some sort of closure and they can now try and rebuild their lives."

CPS prosecutor, Simon Heptonstall, said there had been clear medical evidence of a catastrophic injury suffered by Thomas and that top experts said the only possible way that Thomas could have died was at the hands of the man who had been entrusted with his care.

Thomas' parents Hannah and Andrew said in a statement after the sentencing.

"Thomas was our life. He was our pride and joy. Words cannot explain the pain we have felt every day since Thomas was taken from us, it will never leave us.

"Whilst we are satisfied with the jury's verdict, nothing will ever take away the pain that Colin Scholey has put us through due to his cowardly actions."