A Liverpool man has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison for the manslaughter of his newborn son, seven years after the tragic incident occurred. Mehmet Tufan, 30, from Dovecot, was found guilty of causing the death of his five-week-old son, Leo Williams, by violently shaking him while his partner was out with friends on April 14, 2018.
The incident left Leo with catastrophic brain injuries, leading to his death in December 2022. Tufan initially misled medical professionals, claiming his son had choked on a hair. However, an investigation revealed the true cause of Leo’s injuries, resulting in Tufan’s conviction.
Details of the Incident
Leo Williams was born a healthy baby on March 10, 2018. On the night of April 14, his mother left him in Tufan’s care to spend an evening with friends. Prosecutor Andrew Haslam KC described how Tufan became increasingly frustrated and anxious about his partner’s absence.
Text messages exchanged between the couple showed Tufan’s growing agitation, including a message to a friend of his partner’s questioning her activities after seeing a video of her dancing with another man.
“At 1.40am, Tufan called the North West Ambulance Service and reported that his son was ‘hiccupping, not breathing and profusely sweating’. Medics arrived at the address and found Leo on the bedroom floor with no heartbeat.”
Despite the paramedics’ efforts to resuscitate Leo, he suffered extensive brain injuries, blood in his spinal cord, and retinal hemorrhages. Doctors concluded these injuries were inflicted non-accidentally, most likely due to being shaken with considerable force.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Initially, Tufan was sentenced to two years in jail in June 2019 for Section 20 assault. During police questioning, he admitted to shaking Leo for about a minute before calling an ambulance. Tufan confessed to being upset about his partner’s interactions with another man at a bar, which contributed to his actions.
Following Leo’s death in December 2022, a further investigation led to Tufan admitting manslaughter. At Liverpool Crown Court, Tufan was seen in tears as he was sentenced for causing his son’s death.
Impact on the Family
Leo’s mother expressed her devastation in a Victim Personal Statement, stating that her life will never be the same without her son. She described the immense pain of caring for Leo after the incident and the heartbreak of watching him suffer.
“My world completely shattered that day. Even to this day, everything still feels like a blur. I can’t process or comprehend the devastation and trauma that Mehmet caused.”
Detective Sergeant David Bruce commented on the case, emphasizing the tragedy of Leo’s untimely death and offering condolences to the family.
Broader Implications and Reflections
This case highlights the severe consequences of domestic violence and the long-term impact it can have on families. It also underscores the importance of addressing mental health and emotional regulation, particularly in high-stress situations involving childcare.
Experts in child protection and domestic violence prevention stress the need for increased awareness and support for families at risk. They advocate for better access to resources that can help individuals manage emotions and prevent such tragedies.
“It’s heart-breaking that Leo passed away at such a young age when he had his whole life ahead of him. Our thoughts remain with his family as they continue to grieve this unimaginable loss.” – Detective Sergeant David Bruce
As the family continues to mourn Leo’s loss, the case serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact of violence within the home. Moving forward, it is crucial for communities to support affected families and work towards preventing similar incidents in the future.
