A man who sought to exploit a mother on Tinder in order to sexually abuse her infant has been sentenced to life in prison.
Christopher Phillips actively pursued a baby by using the dating platform to target new mothers. Upon seeing a photo of a mother holding her newborn, the 34-year-old individual identified her vulnerability and manipulatively sought unrestricted access to the child, as revealed in court proceedings.
Phillips inflicted severe harm on the baby boy, referred to only as Baby C, causing injuries likened to those from a significant impact. Judge Paul Thomas KC, who handed down the life sentence to Phillips, described the case as the most distressing in his four-decade-long career.
In a statement read in court, the baby’s grandmother expressed the profound horror and devastation that the situation brought upon the family.
During a trial at Swansea Crown Court, it was disclosed that authorities were alerted to suspected deliberate injuries sustained by the baby when he was taken to Glangwili Hospital in January 2021.
Medical examinations revealed multiple fractures, including an ankle, wrist, ribs, skull, and brain hemorrhage suffered by the infant.
Phillips was convicted of sexual assault and causing grievous bodily harm against the infant. However, he was acquitted of some charges related to causing harm with intent.
The baby’s mother was cleared of accusations of permitting harm to her child and neglect. Phillips, residing in Burton, Pembs, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years and 25 days.
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