A Ballymoney paedophile Christopher Fulton was allowed to assault, shale and nearly suffocate a newborn infant by the child’s mother Amanda Fulton. Christopher Fulton was sentenced to 22 years in prison today
Previously, it was only permissible to report that Christopher Fulton had assaulted a very young child. However, upon a media application, Judge Peter Irvine KC modified the reporting restriction, permitting the explicit disclosure that the 6-foot-3, 16-stone paedophile left a four-week-old infant bruised, blind, and with brain damage.
During an emotionally charged session at Newry Crown Court today, Judge Irvine sentenced the 35-year-old to 22 years in prison for inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, stating, “I have found you to be dangerous in relation to young children.” Additionally, he mandated that Mr Fulton be subjected to an extended licence period of five years.
He informed the long-haired assailant that the assault on the four-week-old infant in November 2019 caused “devastation to his life,” however even prior to those “atrocious events,” “you exhibited aggressive behaviour towards him.”
The judge remarked that even while the infant was hospitalised for critical brain surgery, Mr. Fulton was “distracted and laughing” at videos on his cell phone, demonstrating a complete disdain for the child’s well-being.
The prolonged jail sentence necessitates that Christopher Fulton serve half of his term prior to petitioning the Parole Commissioners for release on licence. Unless authorities are convinced that the defendant can be supervised, he may remain incarcerated until the age of 57, after which he will still be subject to release terms and possible reincarceration until he becomes 62.
Amanda Fulton, 36, received a four-year sentence, with half to be served in prison and half on probation, for two counts of child cruelty due to the deliberate neglect of her four-week-old infant, while standing next to her divorced husband.
In sentencing her, Judge Irvine stated to Amanda Fulton, “You neglected to safeguard P, fully aware of your husband’s, Christopher Fulton, potential for inflicting physical harm and his serious illness, thereby disregarding his welfare.”
At the conclusion of the five-week trial in October, the jury unanimously convicted Christopher Fulton of intentionally causing severe bodily harm and two counts of child cruelty through purposeful neglect of the little victim.
Amanda Fulton was cleared of grievous bodily injury and one count of child abuse; nevertheless, she was unanimously convicted of inflicting or enabling the child to endure substantial physical harm and an additional charge of intentional neglect.
The court was informed that the one-month-old infant was unresponsive on the morning of 7 November 2019 at Fulton’s residence near Ballymoney; nevertheless, despite their apprehensions, neither defendant contacted a physician for three hours. Upon examination by the general practitioner, it was evident that the young youngster was profoundly ill.
He was initially transported by ambulance to Causeway Hospital, where a scan revealed a substantial head injury, and subsequently transferred to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, where he underwent lifesaving brain surgery. Doctors identified the full severity of his life-threatening injuries, which included:
Fractured skull with concomitant cerebral and retinal haemorrhaging
27 rib fractures
Fractures of both femurs
Fractures of both tibias
Fractured wrist
Lacerated liver.
Numerous paediatric consultants testified that the injuries were similar with those often sustained in a high-speed automobile collision or from a fall from several stories.
The jury’s finding confirmed their conviction that Christopher Fulton violently assaulted the youngster, resulting in a fractured skull and lacerated liver, shook him with such intensity that all his limbs incurred fractures, and during the act of squeezing him, shattered his ribs.
The jury affirmed their belief that this was not the first instance in which Christopher Fulton exerted sufficient force on the boy’s chest to fracture 12 ribs, which were in the process of mending [GREAT JOB BY THE POLICE, GAVE THE CHILD BACK TO THEM]. The jury concluded that Amanda Fulton took no action to assist or intervene.
In a legal precedent for Northern Ireland, a poignant Victim Impact Statement was recited verbatim in Newry Crown Court from the witness box, where the foster mother of the young child disclosed the ramifications of the treatment endured.
“If the sky were parchment and I were to inscribe it with words reflecting his significance to us, it would still inadequately convey the depth of our love for him,” she stated in court, disclosing that the injuries he endured were not only transformative but also restrictive to his existence.
In her 45-minute sentence remarks today (Friday), Judge Irvine reiterated portions of the victim’s testimony, revealing that the now five-year-old child is unable to see, speak, move, or eat, and suffers from cerebral irritability, resulting in “episodes of prolonged crying during which he cannot be consoled.”
Notwithstanding the dire repercussions and the possibility of the young kid succumbing to his injuries, the judge disclosed that both Fultons persist in their claims of innocence, exhibit no remorse, and possess minimal understanding of the ramifications for the five-year-old child.
“No mitigating factors are discernible in this case,” he said the court, “neither defendant has exhibited remorse, and both continue to assert their innocence.”
Judge Irvine said that their demeanour and conduct towards the youngster was in “stark contrast” to that exhibited by his foster mother, who had “dedicated her life to P and, despite all his challenges, has demonstrated the love and care that he unequivocally deserves.”
The judge noted the absence of mitigating circumstances and identified several aggravating factors, including the victim’s vulnerability and defencelessness, a history of violence endured over the preceding four weeks, and the case’s classification as one of significant harm and culpability.
Addressing each defendant individually, Judge Irvine stated to Amanda Fulton: “You neglected to safeguard P, fully aware of your husband’s potential to inflict physical harm, cognisant of P’s serious illness, and you failed to seek medical treatment for him yourself.” Your neglect of responsibility and failure to remit payment was inexcusable.
While Paedophile Christopher Fulton stood in the dock, the court stated: “You neglected to obtain medical treatment for P.” You caused the life-threatening injury to P and the subsequent damage to his life; you exhibited violent attitude towards him prior to these tragic events, and even after the assault, you demonstrated a complete disregard for his well-being.
“You may be removed,” stated the judge as he finished the hearing.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.