A football player who allegedly shook a 15-month-old baby so hard he caused the child permanent brain damage stood in the dock today as his trial by jury got underway.
Photo: ShutterstockMellieħa resident Akande Rotimi Williams, 27, Nigerian-born with a Maltese residence permit, stands accused on three separate counts of attempted wilful homicide, grievous bodily harm and ill treatment of the child dating back to April 2013.
A panel of jurors in the criminal court, presided over by Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi, heard how the baby was rushed to hospital in April 2013 after Mr Williams' allegedly found it stiff and unresponsive in its cot. Mr Williams was dating the child's mother at the time.
The child required emergency head surgery to save its life, with the injury causing it a permanent disability which means that he will have to spend the rest of his life in a semi-vegetative state.
Authorities immediately suspected foul play, as 12 days earlier the child had been admitted to hospital suffering from various injuries compatible with ‘shaken baby syndrome.’
On that occasion, the mother had said that she had entrusted her son to the care of a babysitter who had allegedly shaken the baby when it was seized by an epileptic fit.
Prosecutors believe that despite the medical scare and doctors' warnings, Mr Williams repeated the shaking with even greater vigour just two weeks later.
Lawyer Joseph Ellis was defence counsel. Lawyers Elaine Mercieca and Justine Cilia from the AG’s office prosecuted.