Glasgow brute left 8-week-old baby boy unable to walk, talk or see after shaking him so hard – then blamed it on his pet dog
A BRUTE who shook a baby so hard he left him with catastrophic brain damage blamed the murder bid on his pet dog.
Paul Carlton, 25, inflicted lifelong injuries on the eight-week-old while the boy’s mum was out.
But he told a court his American Bulldog-Staffie cross Sapphire carried out the attack in Glasgow.
The tot shaken by the evil thug cannot walk, talk, see or move his arms, his distraught grandad revealed tonight.
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The loved one slammed Carlton for destroying the life of the boy, now two — having previously headbutted the tot’s mum causing a bloody nose.
But he admitted he’s thankful his grandson is still alive despite his catastrophic brain injuries, which Carlton tried to pin on his dog.
The anguished relative said: “He has no quality of life.
“He can’t see, he can’t talk, he can’t walk, he can’t move his arms — he can’t do anything. Carlton’s ruined that child’s life.
“It’s very tough. The wean is alive, which is the only bonus.”
His emotional blast comes after the High Court in Glasgow heard that Carlton blamed his American Bulldog/Staffordshire terrier cross Sapphire for the then eight-week-old’s injuries.
The man, who can’t be named, added: “He’s still not said sorry or why he did it.
“If it was up to me I’d get Carlton put down like a rabid animal. That’s what he deserves.
“I think he attacked my grandson out of jealousy. He was jealous of the love my daughter was giving that child. He wasn’t centre of attention anymore.
“He was violent to my daughter, which shows what sort of guy he is.
“It’s disgusting. This has messed up her life as well. No jail sentence would be adequate.”
Carlton, of the city, had been looking after the infant in August 2017 while the tot’s mum went for a beauty appointment and lunch. The court heard the baby was said to be okay during a health visitor check that morning. Carlton sent the youngster’s mum a video while she was out showing her son waving and kicking his legs.
But 90 minutes after she left, the coward was calling 999.
If it was up to me I’d get Carlton put down like a rabid animal. That’s what he deserves. I think he attacked my grandson out of jealousy. He was jealous of the love my daughter was giving that child. He wasn’t centre of attention anymore."
He claimed he’d left the boy in the flat in his swing alone with two dogs and was tidying his garden when he heard a cry from inside.
Carlton denied being responsible telling the trial: “I would never hurt any child.”
He described dog Sapphire as “boisterous” revealing the pet previously “cut and bruised” a girl. He said he could “speculate” Sapphire injured the baby.
Defence lawyer Dale Hughes asked: “If there was an example of this dog being potentially harmful, why let it near the boy?”
Carlton replied: “I thought because I had another dog she would learn from him and calm down possibly.”
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Prosecutor Alan Cameron pointed out the tot had no bite marks or cuts from a pet attack.
He said: “The dog would have to have picked the boy up, shaken him with such vigour and put him back where he was or collide with him with such force.”
Carlton replied: “The only explanation I have is the dog as I know I did not harm the child.”
But neuroradiologist Professor Robin Sellar told jurors: “In that time frame, something very dramatic has happened.
“The injuries are consistent with a shaking injury.”
Carlton showed no emotion as jurors found him guilty of attempted murder last week. Lord Burns remanded him and deferred sentence for reports.
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