Report by Stephen Collier for Pulman's Weekly News
A man from Axminster has denied murdering his one-month-old son in a tragic case that has rocked the local community.
Tony Bartlett, aged 38, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday where he formally entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of murdering his infant son, Atticus Bartlett, in Chard, Somerset.
The alleged offence dates back to July 2022. Emergency services were called to an address in Chard shortly before midnight on 16th July. Paramedics alerted Avon and Somerset Police after discovering the baby in a critical condition. Despite being rushed to hospital, Atticus sadly died on 23rd July, just a week later.
Bartlett, who resides in Axminster, Devon, was granted bail under existing conditions by Judge Julian Lambert. The judge confirmed that the trial is scheduled to begin on 11th June next year, with proceedings expected to last around four weeks.
The court also heard that a further case management hearing has been set fo…
