Father Sentenced to Nine Years Following Death of Three-Month-Old Son
A 38-year-old man from Stafford has been sentenced to nine years in prison after a court heard he fatally injured his three-month-old son, Leon Stark, in an act of violent shaking. Gareth Stark was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on May 15, 2026, following his earlier admission of manslaughter and battery.
The legal proceedings revealed a two-part history of abuse. On October 9, 2023, Stark was caught on surveillance footage at a KFC restaurant in Stafford, where he deliberately slapped the back of his infant son’s head while the child’s mother’s back was turned. Prosecutors noted that the blow left the baby noticeably distressed.
Just three days later, on October 12, the situation escalated into a fatal encounter at the family home. While alone with the infant, Stark reportedly shook the child with enough force to cause catastrophic brain, spinal, and eye injuries. Despite calling emergency services at approximately 3:10 p.m., Stark lied to medical professionals, claiming he had checked on the child in his crib and discovered him unresponsive. Leon was transported to the Royal Stoke University Hospital and later moved to the intensive care unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where his injuries were ultimately deemed unsustainable. He passed away on October 20.
During the sentencing, Judge Farrer KC addressed the defendant, highlighting the significant breach of care that led to the child’s death.
You obviously knew that and it should have been obvious to you that forcefully shaking him was highly likely to cause, at least, serious harm.
— Judge Farrer KC, Birmingham Crown Court
The defense argued that the fatality was the result of a moment of frustration, with defense attorney Justin Jarmola stating that the defendant remains profoundly impacted by the events.
He shall never forgive himself. This guilt shall be with him forever.
— Justin Jarmola, Defense Counsel
Medical examinations confirmed the infant died from abusive head trauma, described by prosecutors as a result of excessive force. Judge Farrer clarified that while the initial incident at the restaurant did not demonstrate an intent to cause serious injury, the subsequent shaking at the family home constituted a gross violation of a parent’s duty of care to an extremely vulnerable infant.
Stark entered guilty pleas in October 2023 for both charges. The investigation ultimately determined that the force inflicted upon the child would have been clearly recognizable as dangerous to any caregiver. The sentencing of nine years concludes the criminal proceedings into the death of the three-month-old, who had been in good health prior to the October incidents.
