This archive report was first published on 20 October 2019.
When the Baby Won't Stop Crying ¶
Joanne Peacock's 16-week-old son, Jamie, was left with severe injuries after being shaken violently by his father, Paul Sykes, in Huddersfield 12 years ago. Sykes was later jailed for four years for grievous bodily harm.
According to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, more than 230 infants were killed or injured over the past decade as a result of being shaken. The charity believes this number is only 'the tip of the iceberg.'
Doctors compare the effects of shaking a baby to the impact of boxing, but unlike boxing, the blows to the head in baby-shaking occur in seconds, causing severe damage.
Joanne Peacock's son, Charlie, was left blind and with cerebral palsy after the incident. Today, he is a joy to the family but requires lifelong care due to his restricted movement.
Research has shown that constant crying is the most likely trigger for baby-shaking. Dr. Suzanne Smith has begun a campaign to help parents avoid losing control, emphasizing that 'infant crying is normal; it will stop, and it's OK to walk away for a few minutes as long as your baby is safe.'
Meanwhile, in the UK, British people surrendered more than half a million pounds a day to scammers and con artists during the first half of 2019, according to the banking industry body, UK Finance. The scams include purchase scams, impersonation, invoice scams, and romance scams.
On a different note, Queen Elizabeth II made a personal choice during the State Opening of Parliament in London, opting not to wear the Imperial State Crown due to its weight. The crown, encrusted with nearly 3,000 diamonds, weighs about a kilo, too much for the 93-year-old monarch.
Lastly, American comedian Woody Allen's take on the big issue of God or no God is: 'If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name in a Swiss bank.'
