Ernest Oakley jailed after drunkenly striking his 26-day-old son in Norwich

A father has been jailed after striking his 26-day-old baby son while drunkenly lashing out at another person who was holding the newborn.

Ernest Oakley, 32, initially told hospital staff that another young child had accidentally kicked the baby in the head while he was lying on a sofa.

The infant later became unwell and was transferred from Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where doctors raised concerns about Oakley’s account and contacted police.

Oakley was arrested but continued to deny responsibility for his son’s injuries. He later admitted that, while drunk, he had lashed out at another person who was holding the baby, causing the newborn to be struck.

He pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm in connection with the November 2023 incident.

At Norwich Crown Court, Oakley was sentenced to 14 months in prison.

The court heard that the baby suffered an injury to the right side of his head as a result of Oakley’s reckless actions.

Norfolk Police said the case was particularly distressing because of the age and vulnerability of the victim.