Today, a father was sentenced to life for violently shaking his Down’s Syndrome infant by the neck.
Mihai-Catalin Gulie (28), was found guilty of killing Robert Ion and inflicting irreparable damage to his brain in a fit at home in Widnes in Cheshire, February 2012. A court heard.
Baby Down’s Syndrome was discovered at birth. The child suffered from various medical conditions and was taken to the hospital. Tragically, she was declared dead three days later.
Gabriela Ion (35), his mother, briefly fled the home with her 2-year-old daughter, to purchase sweets. A jury was informed.
She confessed to trying to hide the bruises and other injuries of the baby, including the broken ribs, with toothpaste. However she insisted that the attack was not something she had foreseen despite having witnessed more serious violence.
Gulie was today sentenced to live after being found guilty of murder in a Liverpool Crown Court trial that lasted three weeks. Before Gulie can be eligible for parole, he must complete 20 years of imprisonment.
Ion was convicted of the murder or attempted murder and sentenced to three years in prison. The hearing was a civilized affair.
Mihai-Catalin Gulie, left) was convicted for the murder of his 6-month-old baby and Gabriela Ion (right), was found guilty in causing or permitting the death of her child.
Robert Ion, a six-month-old boy, was born with Down’s Syndrome. Although he suffered from a number of medical issues, he was rushed into the hospital and tragically, pronounced dead only three days later.
At sentencing, Mrs Justice Yip stated Gulie had “plainly had a fast temper” and that he admitted earlier to throwing Robert as he had “lost control over the devil”.
A neighbor revealed to the court that the couple would often row and that their children were living in an aggressive climate. A court heard that the children were often heard crying, even though they could hear adult voices.
“He could have lived his entire life and wouldn’t mind continuing to bring joy to all who knew him.”
Ion, their son with Down’s Syndrome, was sent to jail by his mother. She had only been released from the hospital two months before, shortly before Christmas.
Ion witnessed Guile assault Robert by holding him in the chest, before forcing him to shake him and then slamming him into a crib. The attack caused broken ribs, and an injury to the brain. However, Ion tried to hide the bruises by using toothpaste.
“Poor Robert was undoubtedly in pain during his last days, as Miss Ion’s evidence showed,” Mrs Justice Yip stated.
Ion was told by the judge that although she knew her injuries were serious, she didn’t seek medical help.
The judge stated, “Had I done so, his fracturedribs would’ve been discovered and Robert’s life would be preserved.” “That’s something that you have to live with the rest of your lives.”
Gulie was convicted after three weeks of trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
Judge said the judge believed that Gulie was in critical condition even though she was initially unable to care for her. She lied to social workers, doctors and police.
She stated that Robert was once again taken out of the pram by Ion and thrown onto a couch.
Ion asked Gulie’s brother to talk to him about the behavior, but it did not have an effect.
Today, the court heard from family members who expressed their grief at Robert’s passing and said they feel a heavy sadness.
In 2019, the couple moved from Romania to Widnes.
Ion had the option to seek help from her support family, however she did not. The judge also stated that Ion and Ion had assaulted their child on several occasions. Ion even admitted to hitting my daughter with a spoon when she was being cheeky.
Robert was not killed by Gulie and Gulie told the jury that he didn’t know how it happened. He was pale and yellow when I sat down to watch TV. He was too far away for me to touch or hold.
Ion said that he was convicted in Czech Republic of domestic violence against a former partner.