In 2020, the Offender Database recorded that then 29-year-old Joshua Morris—of Ffordd Elias in Old Colwyn, Conwy—was convicted of inflicting life-changing brain injuries on a 10-month-old baby. Morris appeared at Mold Crown Court where the investigation established that he shook the “helpless” infant in a “loss of temper” while left alone with her on 9 January 2018. The prosecution reported that Morris had taken drugs the previous night and had only three hours of sleep before the mother left him with the child to go to a shop.
The investigation established that when the mother returned, she found the baby “floppy and motionless.” Morris initially concocted a series of lies to cover his actions, claiming the baby had fallen from her cot or that he found her “mangled” on the floor. However, medical experts reported that the child’s injuries—including bleeding on the brain, oxygen deprivation, and retinal bleeding in both eyes—were “highly consistent” with Shaken Baby Syndrome and could not have been caused by a simple fall.
Judicial Findings and Medical Evidence
The court reported that the now three-year-old victim will suffer from the consequences of the “awful” injuries for the rest of her life and is unlikely to ever live independently. The investigation established that while Morris denied intent, the jury took less than two hours to find him guilty of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH). The prosecution reported that detailed examinations also uncovered unexplained bruising on the baby’s head and an older fracture to her left leg, indicating a history of non-accidental harm while in the Old Colwyn area.
Judge-led proceedings at Mold Crown Court concluded with Judge Rhys Rowlands stating that Morris was convicted on “overwhelming evidence.” For his actions in North Wales and the nature of the “forcible” shaking reported, Morris was informed that an immediate custodial sentence was inevitable. The judge noted that the minimum degree of force required to cause such catastrophic brain damage in an infant is a “vile” betrayal of the duty of care, resulting in lifelong trauma for the innocent child.
Status and Statutory Requirements
Based on the judicial orders issued at Mold Crown Court in December 2020:
- Custodial Status: SERVING (Sentence delivered 9 December 2020; currently incarcerated or subject to strict licence).
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barring List (Indefinite ban on working with children or vulnerable adults; permanently barred from all regulated activity).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Grievous Bodily Harm – GBH).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Mold Crown Court; investigated by North Wales Police.
- Criminal Record: Shook a 10-month-old baby causing permanent brain damage; Lied to police about the cause of injuries; Had drugs in his system at the time of the assault; Inflicted retinal bleeding and oxygen deprivation.
- Origin: Ffordd Elias, Old Colwyn, Conwy, North Wales.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Morris is managed as a violent offender under the statutory requirements of the North Wales Police and Probation Service. Due to the nature of his conduct—specifically his “extreme loss of temper resulting in permanent disability for an infant and his history of drug use”—he is a priority for community monitoring. Authorities reported that the 2020 conviction ensures Morris is legally prohibited from any unsupervised contact with children in Conwy or elsewhere.
As a convicted violent offender, his details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that Morris’s history identifies him as an individual who prioritised his own frustrations over the life of a “helpless” child. Any attempt by Morris to enter regulated activity, any failure to adhere to his licence conditions upon release, or any unauthorised proximity to minors will result in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who “trampled all over the principles of human decency.”
QUESTION – Given that the offender was under the influence of drugs and had minimal sleep before shaking the baby, do you believe that “Substance Abuse” while in sole charge of an infant should legally trigger an automatic “Grievous Bodily Harm” charge if any injury occurs?
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