Burnley man jailed for murdering baby son
Oliver Mailey has been sentenced to life behind bars with a minimum term of 16 years
Last updated 25th Jan 2023
A Burnley father has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years after being found guilty of murdering his seven week-old baby boy.
Oliver Mailey, who is 26, violently shook his son Abel-Jax on at least two separate occasions before he tragically died in November 2021.
Preston Crown Court heard that Mailey shook Abel-Jax with the 'force of a car accident'.
A post-mortem found that he died as a result of a head injury.
He suffered subdural bleeding, brain swelling and retinal haemorrhaging which caused irreparable damage.
Mailey, formerly of Piccadilly Road in Burnley, pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied intending to hurt the boy.
He was found guilty of murder following a nine-day trial at Preston Crown Court.
Det Ch Insp Jane Webb, of Lancashire Police's Force Major Investigation Team, said:
"Abel-Jax’s death is utterly tragic and heart-breaking. It has left his family devastated and no words can describe the unimaginable pain they have suffered and continue to suffer.
"As Abel-Jax’s father, Oliver Mailey was in a position of trust, there to provide love, support and care. On that day, Mailey abused that trust in the most violent and horrific way. He carried out a shocking attack, which tragically led to Abel-Jax’s death.
"When interviewed by police, he repeatedly denied knowing anything about how Abel-Jax had come by his injuries. It was only in recent months he admitted shaking Abel-Jax and pleaded guilty to manslaughter, claiming he did not intend to kill or cause serious harm.
"Mailey is a coward and his actions alone led to the death of his son.
"We welcome the verdict at court and would like to thank the jury for their careful consideration and giving Abel-Jax a voice. This has no doubt been a difficult and at times distressing trial. We welcome the verdict at court and would like to thank the jury for their careful consideration, during what has no doubt been a difficult and at times distressing trial.
"Our thoughts remain with Abel-Jax’s family as they continue to come to terms with their loss."