March 2007
Man jailed for killing baby son
A man has been jailed for life for the murder of his baby son.
Matthew Ansell, 40, of Maldon, Essex, had denied murdering Harry Ansell, who died in Colchester General Hospital on 10 October 2004.
The five-month-old baby was injured after an incident on a boat moored at Tollesbury Yacht Harbour, in Essex.
Ansell was found guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court last month and on Monday was ordered to serve at least 15 years before being considered for parole.
The baby was injured while living on a boat in Tollesbury, Essex, with his mother and Mr Ansell.
The court heard that Ansell had picked up the baby and swung him around by the legs, hitting his head on a surface.
Ansell denied it and said he fell from his arms as he fed him.
A post-mortem examination indicated that he died as a result of non-accidental injuries.
Det Sgt Steve Harvey of Essex Police said: “Harry was an innocent four-month-old baby. He was defenceless when he was killed by his father Matthew Ansell and sustained three fractures to his legs as well as fatal head injuries.
“The death of a child under any circumstances is a tragedy and, in these cases, there are no winners, just losers.”
