Violent thug leaves toddler with fractured skull after brutal attack in Burnley

Grant Eddleston carried out the violent assault in 2019 when the child was almost three years old.

The 35-year-old attacked the boy with such force that a doctor described the trauma as equivalent to falling from a height of three metres.

The victim made a “good recovery after treatment,” police said.

Eddleston denied injuring the youngster but was found guilty of Section 18 wounding and child cruelty following a two-week trial at Preston Crown Court earlier this year.

He appeared before the same court on Wednesday where he was sentenced to a total of ten years in prison.

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Eddleston, of Wesham Hall Close, Wesham, also received an extended licence of three years.

He was described in a pre-sentence report as a high risk to young children.

The judge also said Eddleston had shown a chilling lack of empathy towards his victim throughout the trial.

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Det Sgt Julia Graham, of Lancashire Police’s East division, said: “Grant Eddleston carried out a violent assault on a young boy causing him a serious, life-threatening head injury and then compounded his actions by trying to cover up what he had done.

“He has never accepted responsibility for his actions and has continually lied in a bid to protect himself.

“I welcome the sentence which reflects the gravity of the offending, and I am pleased that this little boy has made a good recovery after being subjected to such a traumatic ordeal.”