Dad Jailed After Shaking Baby Son to Death
Tragic Death of Toddler Leo Banks
A man has been locked up for nearly four years after shaking his baby son so violently it led to the boy’s death. Matthew Banks, 34, admitted manslaughter for the heartbreaking death of two-year-old Leo Banks.
Leo died in February 2020 at his home in Chichester. The toddler had been battling serious head injuries sustained back in December 2017, when he was just four weeks old.
Father Confesses to ‘Vigorous’ Shaking
During a police interview, Banks confessed to shaking Leo “quite vigorously” while looking after him overnight. He said the boy was crying hysterically during a feeding, leaving him frustrated and exhausted.
It was only when Leo’s mother woke up that morning and noticed something was wrong that medical help was finally sought.
Investigation and Sentence
Winchester Crown Court handed Banks a sentence of three years and eight months on October 21. The West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit led the inquiry into Leo’s death.
“This is a heart-breaking case that resulted in the tragic and untimely death of an innocent two-year-old boy,” said Detective Constable Owen Watkins.
“Matthew Banks was one of the people trusted to care for Leo, but his actions caused injuries from which Leo sadly could not recover.
“No sentence will ever change what happened, but we will always hold those responsible to account. Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.”
