Dad admits killing baby in ‘act of deliberate and unlawful violence

The father pleaded guilty to an ‘act of deliberate and unlawful violence' against his son.

A father has admitted to killing his baby son after ‘rigorously and violently shaking’ him while the boy’s mother was out.

Sam Gildea, 30, from Partington, Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to the manslaughter of his four-month-old son Alfie.

Emergency services were called by the little boy’s mother after she returned home to find Alfie unconscious on the morning of September 12.

Alfie was rushed to hospital with severe head injuries but tragically died two days later.

Gildea was due to stand trial accused of murder at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court but his guilty plea to an alternative count of manslaughter was accepted by the Crown.

Prosecutor Andrew Thomas QC said the plea had been offered on the basis that the defendant admits he caused Alfie’s death with an ‘act of deliberate and unlawful violence which involved rigorous and violent shaking’.

He also admitted to a charge of controlling or coercive behaviour towards Alfie’s mother.

The court heard how Gildea had a history of involvement with mental health services.

Sentencing could take place as soon as Friday.