Connor James Hume, of Consett, County Durham, has expressed frustration over his post-release struggles after serving just four years in prison for a catastrophic physical assault that left an infant child permanently blind and severely disabled.
The offending occurred when Hume was 18 years of age.
During the violent incident, Hume repeatedly punched the baby in the head and shook the infant with such force that the child came close to death.
Emergency medical examinations revealed that Hume had caused a significant haematoma to the front right portion of the brain, inflicting irreparable traumatic injury that required immediate surgical intervention to save the infant’s life.
Ophthalmologists inspecting the child’s eyes discovered extensive bilateral retinal damage, noting that the haemorrhages in both retinas were so numerous that doctors stopped counting.
While the baby survived, the assault resulted in permanent, life-altering consequences.
The child was left completely blind in both eyes and developed severe cerebral palsy as a direct result of the brain damage, leaving the victim entirely dependent on round-the-clock, 24-hour care.
In 2021, Hume, then aged 22, stood trial at Crown Court, where a jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on:
- Causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child
The presiding judge sentenced Hume to eight years and ten months’ imprisonment.
However, under standard UK determinate sentencing frameworks for non-dangerous determinate terms, Hume was eligible for automatic release on licence at the halfway mark, walking free from custody after serving approximately four years.
Following his return to the community, Hume contacted the UK Register Database to complain about the conditions of his life, claiming that he is struggling, feels isolated, lacks support, and cannot see a viable future for himself.
Hume also objected to his image being circulated on social media platforms, maintaining that he had served his punishment and was entitled to move on with his life.
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