The trial of Tony Bartlett continues
16:18, 17 Jun 2026Updated 16:19, 17 Jun 2026
Tony Bartlett arrives at Bristol Crown Court where he is charged with murder and manslaughter relating to the death of his son, Atticus Bartlett.(Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
A dad who is accused of killing his newborn baby by violently shaking him has been pictured for the first time.
Four-week-old Atticus Bartlett died in hospital after collapsing at the family home in Chard, on July 16 2022.
Tony Bartlett, 39, of Axminster in Devon, denies charges of murder and manslaughter relating to the death of Atticus, who died from brain injuries.
Bartlett, who is a postman, was pictured arriving at Bristol Crown Court earlier today (July 17) as the trial continues.
It is alleged that Bartlett, who was working as a postman, shook Atticus violently while alone with him.
Atticus had been cared for by his grandmother, Rachel Donovan and her husband Andrew, earlier in the evening, while Bartlett and Ms Ballentyne went to a pub and comedy club.
The trial this week heard from the prosecution that Bartlett had consumed up to nine pints of beer and was left to feed Atticus while his partner went upstairs to change at about 11pm.
It is alleged that, while Ms Ballentyne was upstairs, Bartlett violently shook Atticus so hard he caused severe internal injuries to his brain and spinal cord. Several of Atticus’s ribs were also cracked, the court has heard.
Atticus was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton before being transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
His brain damage was so severe that Atticus never breathed for himself again and did not regain consciousness, before dying just before midnight on July 23, 2022.
Ms Ballentyne, gave evidence yesterday and described the moment she came downstairs and saw her baby floppy and grey in colour.
She said that Atticus had been lying face down on his father’s knees.
Representing Bartlett, Nigel Power KC suggested Ms Ballentyne had sought to “minimise” her actions – which she denied.
He asked her: “Tony didn’t do anything to harm Atticus, did he?”
Ms Ballentyne replied: “Yes he did.”
Bartlett, of Axminster, Devon, denies the two charges against him and the trial continues.