Father convicted as baby-killer is ‘likely’ to appeal (From Thisisdorset)

Father convicted as baby-killer is ‘likely’ to appeal

7:00pm Monday 8th February 2010

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CRAIG Tattum is set to appeal against his conviction for the manslaughter of his 10-week-old son.

Tattum, 35, was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday but still maintains his innocence over the death of tiny Ethan.

Since Ethan’s death at the family flat in July 2008, the Wimborne man has insisted the worst he inflicted on his son was a poor attempt at CPR.

However, jurors agreed with medical experts that the baby boy had been hit and probably shaken by his father.

Tattum had also consumed most of a bottle of vodka on the night his son died.

On handing down his five-year sentence, judge Mrs Justice Sharp said Tattum’s inebriation had proved his downfall.

Mitigating prior to his sentencing at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, Graham Wood QC indicated that his client was likely to appeal against his conviction.

Tattum has 28 days to lodge his appeal with the Court of Appeal.

Tattum’s family has backed him throughout the ordeal.

Mr Wood said they still “did not accept” that Tattum could have killed Ethan.

During a three-week trial, Tattum told the jury he employed various methods to try to revive Ethan after he noticed blood on his face and heard him stop breathing.

These included tapping his cheeks, pinching his nose, opening his mouth and lifting his eyelids.

It was these attempts that caused the severe bruising which later showed up on Ethan’s face, he told the court.

Mr Wood said Tattum still held this version of events on his first interview with a probation officer in prison following his conviction in December.

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