A man from Oswestry has been sentenced to 23 months in prison after attacking an eight-month-old baby while they slept.
Shane Heighway, 38, of Porth-y-Waen, carried out the violent and unprovoked assault in August 2024. The attack was captured on a baby monitor, alerting the baby’s mother, who immediately called police.
Heighway was swiftly arrested and later charged with child cruelty and intentional suffocation. He pleaded guilty to the offences in June.
Detective Constable Daniel Bushell, from Shropshire’s Protecting Vulnerable People team, described the attack as “one of the most horrendous things I have seen, not only in my career but my life.” He praised the efforts of response officers and colleagues who helped apprehend Heighway and prevent further harm.
Medical evidence confirmed it was fortunate the baby did not sustain fatal injuries. DC Bushell added: “The viciousness of this unprovoked assault on an innocent and defenceless baby cannot be understated. The sentence ensures a dangerous man is behind bars and sends a clear message: harming the most vulnerable will not go unpunished.”
