Man with 'self-indulgent drugs lifestyle' jailed over death of baby killed by falling television

Edward Hanratty was passed out on a kitchen floor when the child's mother knocked over the television and killed four-month-old Kian McMillan

Edward Hanratty, (PA)

A man who chose his 'self-indulgent drugs lifestyle' over his baby son has been jailed for the child's death after a five-stone TV set fell on his head.

Edward Hanratty, 41, of Dirkhill Road in Bradford, was passed out on a kitchen floor when the child's mother Natalie McMillan, 25, knocked over the television.

Both Mr Hanratty and the mother of four-month-old Kian McMillan, were under the influence of drink and drugs at the time of the death.

The baby was on a changing mat in front of the television when his mother tried to move it to plug in a scart lead.

The four-month-old died from catastrophic head injuries when the television fell on him.

Natalie McMillan, 25, was imprisoned for 15 months in January after admitting neglect over the incident in December 2011.

She was cleared of manslaughter by a jury.

Hanratty, of Dirkhill Road, Bradford, also pleaded guilty to child neglect during the trial after giving his evidence which Judge Russell described as "a very poor display in the witness box".

He failed to turn up for the sentencing in January at Preston Crown Court because he said he had no money for his train fare from Bradford.

He was later arrested and remanded in custody where today he was also sentenced to an additional three years in prison for conning a 91-year-old man from Bradford out of his life savings.

Hanratty drained nearly £30,000 from his victim to feed his drug addiction, the court heard.

Sentencing Hanratty to 10 months in prison for child neglect, the Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC, said the defendant had "failed lamentably" as a father.

"It was abundantly clear that you and your partner were in no fit state to look after your child that night," he said.

"Over the short life of your child you gave priority to yourself and your self-indulgent drugs lifestyle and neglected the life of Kian.

"You must bear some responsibility for the death because you were the father of Kian.

"You failed lamentably. You should have protected Kian from his mother's neglect."