In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Paul Rich, then 53, of Sandy Lane, Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, was jailed for the manslaughter of three-month-old Patrick Bradley. On Wednesday, 5 June 2019, the defendant appeared at Bristol Crown Court for sentencing. The court reported that Rich killed the baby by shaking him and throwing him into a Moses basket in a “sudden outburst” of frustration when the child would not stop crying.
The investigation established that the fatal injuries were inflicted in the early hours of 25 March 2017 at the child’s home in Swindon, Wiltshire. Wiltshire Police reported that while the parents were out, Rich dialled 999 at 03:15 GMT, noting the child seemed “floppy.” The prosecution reported that Patrick suffered compression to the ribs, shaking, and a severe blunt force impact to the head, eventually dying in his mother’s arms after life support was withdrawn on 30 March 2017 in Swindon, Wiltshire.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Rich initially attempted to cover up his actions by claiming he had accidentally dropped the boy. Bristol Crown Court heard how he later admitted to manslaughter, acknowledging the “spur of the moment” attack. The prosecution reported that Rich’s defence cited he had been without sleep for 19 hours and was at the “end of his tether” when he assaulted the three-month-old in Swindon, Wiltshire.
Mr Justice Soole noted that the assault was a “sudden outburst” that likely lasted only a matter of seconds but had catastrophic consequences. For his actions in Swindon and Shrivenham, Rich was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. The judge noted that the mother, Kirsty Bradley, expressed that she was “absolutely livid” and intended to appeal the sentence as “unduly lenient,” noting that Rich had never apologised to the family.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Paul Rich was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Seven years and six months in prison (June 2019).
- Criminal Record: Convicted of the manslaughter of an infant.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Bristol Crown Court following a guilty plea.
- Barred List: Subject to restrictions regarding working with children.
- Origin: Sandy Lane, Shrivenham, Oxfordshire (Offences in Swindon, Wiltshire).
Monitoring and Public Protection
Rich is managed by Wiltshire Police, Thames Valley Police, and the prison estate during his incarceration and subsequent licence period. Due to the violent nature of the “sudden outburst” that killed an infant in Swindon, Wiltshire, his management is subject to oversight by the National Probation Service.
Following his sentencing, authorities emphasized that Rich’s failure to offer a sincere apology to the family was a matter of significant concern. His history of inflicting a “severe head injury” on a defenceless child necessitates permanent and stringent monitoring of his conduct upon release. Any further reports of violence or breach of his licence conditions in Shrivenham, Swindon, or elsewhere will result in immediate arrest and a return to the court system for further incarceration.
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