Teenager who shook baby to death jailed for murder

A teenager who murdered his girlfriend's four-month-old baby by shaking him to death has been told he will serve at least 14 years in prison.

Elijah Shemwell died on 5 January 2022, three days after he was found pale, limp and drowsy at his mother's home in Belper, Derbyshire.

Carl Alesbrook, who was 16 at the time, was in a relationship with Elijah's mother India Shemwell and had been alone looking after the baby in her flat.

Alesbrook, now 19, denied harming Elijah but was convicted after a trial at Derby Crown Court, and was handed a life sentence with the 14-year minimum term on Friday.

Alesbrook, previously of Upper Greenhill Gardens, Matlock in Derbyshire, met his ex-partner Shemwell in November 2021.

He previously denied murdering Elijah but was unanimously convicted after a five-week trial in July.

Shemwell was sentenced to three years' imprisonment at the same court after she admitted two counts of child cruelty in December last year.