A man violently assaulted an eight-month-old baby while they were sleeping in their crib, as captured on a baby monitor and witnessed by the infant’s mother. The disturbing incident occurred in August 2024 when Shane Heighway entered the room and covered the baby’s face with his hands. The mother immediately contacted the police upon seeing the attack on the monitor.
Heighway, residing in Porth-y-Waen, Oswestry, Shropshire, was apprehended by response officers and charged with child cruelty and intentional suffocation. He admitted to the crimes and was sentenced to nearly two years in prison for the unprovoked assault on the infant.
Medical experts stated that the baby was fortunate not to have been killed during the attack. Detective Constable Daniel Bushell, from Shropshire’s protecting vulnerable people team, described the assault as “horrendous” and emphasized the impact it had on everyone involved.
The attacker was seen on the baby monitor entering the room while the baby was babbling. He proceeded to grab the baby’s leg, dangle them upside down, and then forcibly slam them back into the cot before covering their face with his hands.
DC Bushell expressed hope that the sentence would aid in the healing process for all affected by the traumatic event. He highlighted the significance of holding individuals who harm the vulnerable accountable and reaffirmed the commitment to defending those who cannot defend themselves.
The message conveyed through this case is clear – perpetrators of violence against the most vulnerable will face consequences, and law enforcement will act decisively to protect the innocent.