In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Amanda Fulton, 31, and her husband Christopher Fulton, 30, were remanded in custody facing multiple charges of child cruelty and grievous bodily harm. Appearing at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court, the couple—of Rockfield Gardens, Mosside, County Antrim, Northern Ireland—were accused of inflicting “vile” injuries on their four-week-old baby. It was reported that the infant suffered a fractured skull, brain bleeds, a lacerated liver, and broken ribs, leaving the child blind in both eyes with long-term brain damage.
The investigation established that the baby was taken to a GP on 7 November 2019 before being rushed to hospital by ambulance. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers reported that medical experts believed the injuries were “non-accidental” and noted that some rib fractures were already healing, suggesting the abuse was not an isolated incident. The prosecution reported that during the investigation, another of the couple’s children was found with unexplained bruising and discolouration to their skull and ear.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that the Fultons could not explain the injuries to their children but accepted that the infants had not been in the care of anyone else. Coleraine Magistrates’ Court heard that while the baby had been taken off life support and was breathing independently, the neurological impact was expected to be permanent. The investigation established that a press ban, which had initially prevented reporting on the case, was lifted by a district judge on Friday following the couple’s first appearance.
Police objected to bail, citing high tensions in the Mosside area and a “shocking” death threat issued against the couple by a loyalist paramilitary group. For their alleged actions in County Antrim, the Fultons were denied bail and remanded to Hydebank and Maghaberry prisons. The judge noted the severity of the charges—including causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm—and the significant risk to the defendants’ own safety given the public outcry and social media vilification.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in Northern Ireland, the status of Amanda and Christopher Fulton as of late 2019 was as follows:
- Legal Status: Remanded in custody (Bail refused).
- Charges: GBH with intent; Child cruelty (2 counts); Causing/allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm.
- Prison Locations: Hydebank (Amanda) and Maghaberry (Christopher).
- Judicial Oversight: Proceedings held at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court following a PSNI investigation.
- Victim Status: Four-week-old infant (blind/brain injured); second child (injured).
- Origin: Rockfield Gardens, Mosside, County Antrim.
Monitoring and Public Protection
The Fultons are currently managed under high-security remand protocols due to the “vicious” nature of the threats against them. Due to the conduct reported in Mosside, which involved the near-fatal abuse of a premature infant weighing only five pounds at birth, their safety within the prison system is a major concern. Authorities state that the “predatory nature” of the alleged crimes has led to unprecedented community tension, requiring PSNI to monitor local sentiment and social media threats to prevent vigilante action.
As the case remains active within the national police database, the Fultons are entitled to the presumption of innocence until a verdict is reached. Authorities state that the medical evidence involving healing fractures in County Antrim remains a central pillar of the prosecution’s case. Any future court dates will be subject to strict security measures to ensure the integrity of the justice system and to protect the defendants from the paramilitary threats issued against them since the details of the baby’s injuries were made public.
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