A 22-YEAR-OLD man has been found guilty of manslaughter after a baby girl from Northwich died from a ‘catastrophic’ brain injury.

Brandon Mark Heath, currently residing in HMP Altcourse, has been on trial in Chester Crown Court since February 7, charged with, and pleading not guilty, to murdering the 22-month-old child.

After seven-and-a-half hours of deliberation, the jury has found him not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.

On August 31, 2020, at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, machines providing life support to the child were switched off.

Her injuries were likened to those expected in a road traffic collision or multi-storey fall.

It was concluded she had suffered a ‘violent shake’ or trauma – and the damage caused meant there was no real prospect of survival.

The court heard how in May 2020, the child’s mum started a relationship with Heath, who often stayed at her home in Northwich.

On the morning of August 30, she was not at home and was giving a lift to her friend.

During this time, at 9.41am, North West Ambulance Service received a call from Heath – the only adult in the home at the time – saying the child had knocked herself out, was struggling to breath and her eyes were rolling back in her head.

When emergency crews arrived, Heath’s story as to what had happened changed several times and was inconsistent.

An air ambulance was called and the child had a CT scan which revealed a ‘catastrophic’ brain injury.

She had emergency neurosurgery and was placed on a ventilator, but this was switched off the following day due to her condition.

Heath will appear back in Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, March 8, to be sentenced for manslaughter.

The mother of the little girl said: “She was always so happy and full of life, the happiest, cheekiest little girl you had ever seen, her smile lit up the whole room. 

"Her personality was so big, my heart aches every day.

"I thank Adam Waller and the team for bringing the truth to light and bringing that monster to justice.”

Detective inspector Adam Waller, who led the investigation for Cheshire Police, said: “This case is indescribably tragic and due to the complicated medical evidence, the family have had to wait many, many months for justice and I’d like to pay testament to their patience. 

“Heath had already had been interviewed by police both before and immediately after the child’s death and was further interviewed in July 2021 under caution – officers put to him the various inconsistencies in what he had claimed from August 30, 2020, onwards.

“Yet he told police that he couldn’t recall what he had allegedly said and continued to deny causing injury or harm to the girl.

“The medical evidence clearly pointed towards a sudden catastrophic assault on the little girl and although Heath was alone with her at the time, in order to conceal his involvement, he lied about the circumstances.

"He was unable to think on his feet and come up with a plausible or consistent account which was ultimately his undoing. 

“The level of injury caused to the child was described by one of the pathology experts as being akin to a road traffic collision or multi-storey fall.

“The fact that he blamed the mother of the child who wasn’t even present at the time just demonstrates the total lack of compassion and cowardice in not taking responsibility for his actions against a defenceless little girl.

"He has shown an arrogance and a total lack of remorse throughout this case including while in court.

“I would also like to thank all of those involved in the investigation both professionals and from the community and particularly from my investigation team for their tenacity during the most harrowing of cases, in making sure that Heath is convicted for his most appalling actions.”