A MAN has confessed to killing a 15-week old baby by shaking him so hard he
suffered horrific brain injuries.
Paul Burgess, 25, flew into a fit of rage while tragic Zaiidyn Burke was in
his care.
Burgess, who was in a relationship with the child’s mum Jade Caven, was left
in charge of the tot for over an hour while she visited a hospital.
While she was away he sent her a text which read: “Long u gni b?xxxxxx”
When Miss Caven came into the room 10 minutes later Burgess was said to look
anxious,
Her young son was in his bouncy chair and had been changed out of his pyjamas
and into daywear.
Advocate deputy Iain McSporran, prosecuting, said: “The accused indicated a
full bottle of milk on a table explaining that the baby had only taken a few
mouthfuls.
“He went on to say the baby had choked a little, but he had patted his
back and ‘sorted it’ before putting him in the bouncy chair.”
Miss Caven was said to have known something was wrong because her son was
usually a good feeder.
When she went to check on him he seemed completely lifeless and his lips and
face were turning blue.
The desperate mum picked up her son, put him on the sofa, and shook him.
Burgess then carried out chest compressions on the baby while Miss Caven
phoned 999.
When the frantic mum got through to an emergency handler she was said to be
too distraught to speak.
Burgess then took over and surprised the call handler with how calm he was.
The tot was rushed to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.
He was then transferred to Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow.
Zaiidyn’s dad Lee Burke was at Miss Caven’s side when the baby died in her
arms at 4.25 on October 29, 2012.
Burgess had shaken the youngster two days before.
He also said to have been at a Halloween party while the baby’s parents were
at their son’s bedside, the High Court heard.
The court also heard that Miss Caven and Burgess were still in a relationship
until she realised he had caused the injuries.
It dawned on her at a hearing at Dumfries Sheriff’s Court.
Burgess was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty to culpable
homicide.
His sentencing will take place next month and he has been remanded in custody.
The court earlier heard how a CT scan of Zaiidyn’s spine and head showed he
had brain injuries caused by shaking.
A specialist said the haemorrhaging was the worst he had seen in nearly 20
years.
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Mr McSporran told the court: “(Burgess and Miss Caven’s) relationship ended
during the sheriff court proceedings as the truth dawned on her.
“There was no evidence that would explain the sudden change in the baby’s
health that afternoon.
“He had been healthy and alert when left in the sole care of the accused – and
unresponsive an hour later.
“The sheriff concluded that the accused had been required unexpectedly and at
short notice to look after the baby.
“The sheriff found that Zaiidyn was the victim of an assault causing fatal
injuries and that the accused was responsible for that assault.
“The Crown accepts that the accused, for some reason as yet unknown, but most
probably associated with difficulty feeding the baby, suffered a loss of
temper and shook him with sufficient force to cause fatal brain injuries.”