THE sentencing of the man convicted of murdering his month-old son ‘truly reflects the utterly vile way that this defenceless child lost his life.’

That’s the message from one of Thames Valley Police’s top detectives involved in the investigation of the murder of Colby Lawton, who died at the hands of his father in Newbury in May 2020.

James Lawton was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years in custody after shaking one-month-old Colby to death in the minutes and in the hour before his death.

His former partner, Chantelle Stroud, 25, of Newbury, was cleared of any wrongdoing after a jury found she did not allow the death of her son or inflict cruelty on Colby.

READ MORE: MOTHER CLEARED OF WRONGDOING IN NEWBURY BABY MURDER CASE

On Saturday 9 May 2020, officers were called to an address in Fountain Gardens, Ashridge Court by South Central Ambulance Service following reports that a one month old baby boy was in cardiac arrest.

The baby was taken to hospital for treatment but tragically later died.

Lawton had caused multiple injuries to his son, including a skull fracture he inflicted in the days before his death for which he was convicted of grievous bodily harm.

Senior Investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Blaik, of the Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: “Over the last four weeks, the jury have heard how a defenceless baby, just a month old, had sustained the most terrible injuries at the hands of his father James Lawton.

“Colby was assaulted on at least two occasions resulting in horrific injuries, with the final assault of violent shaking just moments before his death on 9 May 2020.

READ MORE: WHAT THE JUDGE SAID TO BABY-MURDERED AFTER SENTENCING HIM TO YEARS BEHIND BARS

“Lawton denied causing any harm to Colby but the jury have seen through his continued lies and found him guilty today of his murder.

“This investigation has been extremely complex, requiring the assistance of numerous medical experts, a dedicated team of detectives and police staff working with our colleagues from the CPS.

“This has had a profound effect on everyone that has worked on this investigation and I am extremely grateful for their dedication and professionalism.

“The sentence passed today truly reflects the utterly vile way that this defenceless child lost his life at the hands of James Lawton, his father who should have been his protector.”

Lawton was sentenced on Friday, November 26.