Perth Dad Facing Three Years In Jail After Violently Shaking The Seven-Week Old Baby So Badly That He Suffered Seizures And Life-Threatening Injuries

By Samantha in Heartbreaking On 4th December 2020
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Lochlan Stuart Rankine, 28, will spend almost four years behind jail bars after he caused severe life-threatening injuries to his son. The man shook his seven-month-old son so badly that the child suffered from seizures and had to undergo two surgeries. 


Lochlan Stuart Rankine, 28, was alone with his son, Bam, at their home in Hamersley in Perth's north-west when the incident occurred in August 2018.

After the violent shaking, the little baby suffered bleeding from the eyes and brain which resulted in him having seizures and having to undergo two surgeries.


Rankine had denied hurting his baby but was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm by a District Court jury and sentenced to three years and eight months in jail, The West Australian reported.

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Denying the charges against him, the man claims that he fed his son a bottle and went to the washroom, and when he returned he found his son not moving. 


Rankine called triple 0 and told the operator his son had gone 'limp' and was 'gasping a bit and having trouble breathing'.

Bam immediately underwent shunt surgery, a process that involves removing excess fluid from the brain through a tube.


The details of what happened to Bam are not clear but Judge Gary Massey found his injuries were consistent with having been shaken.


He said that Rankine's actions were 'most likely borne out of frustration' but said they had caused 'significant' harm.


'It involved the act of shaking a very vulnerable baby. Your actions were a significant breach of trust of your parental responsibility. Because of his age, (Bam) was completely dependent on you,' Judge Massey said.


 

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The judge acknowledged that 'deep down inside' Rankine felt remorse for causing the injuries to his son, who he has not seen since being charged, but that the incident was 'very sad' for everyone involved.


Rankine's wife Krystal, who he married after he was charged, and family supported him in court on Tuesday.


Mrs Rankine snapped during a break in court, yelling at a prosecutor: 'How dare you stand there and lie about my family.'


She also shouted out 'I love you' while Rankine was being taken away 

Little Bam who is now two and a half years old is now recovering well but doctors claim that any problems will be evident only when the child starts school.


Rankine's lawyer, Mark Cuomo, said the family was working to move forward with their lives after the tragic event. 


'The best information we have is that Bam is meeting his milestones and is doing well, there's no need for ongoing medical treatment at this stage so everyone is very hopeful,' he said outside court.


'He's a happy, healthy child much-loved by his family. This child has a very caring family wrapped around him and hopefully that will sustain him in his life.'


Rankine will be eligible for parole after serving 22 months.

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