In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that then 29-year-old Michael Dabbs was sentenced to 16 months in prison for the “appalling” physical abuse of a tiny baby. Appearing at Liverpool Crown Court, the defendant—of New Chester Road, Bromborough, Wirral—pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm. It was reported that Dabbs, a cocaine user, repeatedly bit the infant in three separate places and then allowed suspicion to wrongly fall on the child’s mother and other family members for four months.
The investigation established that the bite marks on the baby’s shoulder, abdomen, and knee were first noticed by her grandmothers. Merseyside Police reported that the infant was removed from her mother’s care and placed into foster care while the “vicious” investigation was ongoing. The prosecution reported that Dabbs only confessed to the officer in charge via email four months later, admitting he had “blacked out” while under the influence of a cocktail of cocaine and alcohol.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that the baby’s family was devastated by the attack and the subsequent legal fallout. Liverpool Crown Court heard that Dabbs had started self-medicating with cocaine for pain relief following a serious workplace injury at Cammell Laird. The investigation established that his delayed confession caused the little girl to be separated from her mother for much longer than would have been necessary had he been “man enough” to face the consequences immediately.
Judge Rachel Smith described the attack as “gratuitous violence” against a defenceless child. For his actions in Bromborough, Dabbs was jailed for 16 months. The judge noted that while he expressed remorse and was “absolutely disgusted” by his own behaviour, the “vile” decision to keep quiet while innocent family members were suspected was a significant aggravating feature that necessitated an immediate custodial sentence.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Michael Dabbs as of late 2019 was as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 16 months (Sentenced 2019).
- Supervision: Subject to licence and probation oversight upon release.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court following a Merseyside Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH).
- Origin: New Chester Road, Bromborough, Wirral, Merseyside.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Dabbs is managed by the National Probation Service within the Merseyside area. Due to the nature of his conduct in Bromborough, which involved “vicious” violence against an infant linked to Class A drug use, his management is a priority for safeguarding authorities. Authorities state that his history of “blacking out” while under the influence of cocaine requires the most intensive substance misuse monitoring and regular drug testing to ensure the safety of any children he may encounter in the future.
As a convicted violent offender, Dabbs’ details are logged on the national police database. Authorities state that his behaviour in Wirral demonstrated a “shocking” lack of control and a willingness to let innocent people take the blame for his crimes. Any future reports of drug relapse or domestic instability will result in immediate intervention to ensure the ongoing safety of the community and to uphold the protection of the “vulnerable” from those who commit acts of drug-fuelled violence.
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