‘Grotesque’ Dad Jailed for Life Over Baby Hunter’s Murder
A judge slammed Leon Mathias’s actions as “nothing short of grotesque” today (Thursday 2 February) as she handed him a life sentence for murdering his baby son, Hunter, in November 2018.
Deliberate Killing During Bath Time
Mathias, 34, was found guilty of deliberately killing his nine-week-old son while alone with him during bath time. Hunter collapsed and stopped breathing at their Barnsley home just before 7.45pm on 30 November. He died three days later in hospital, unable to recover from severe brain injuries.
Mrs Justice Lambert described the crime as “truly horrifying and difficult to comprehend” and ordered Mathias to serve at least 16 years before parole consideration.
Gruesome Injuries and Court Battle
Hunter was rushed to Barnsley District General Hospital where staff fought to save him. But his brain damage was so severe, he passed away at Sheffield Children’s Hospital on 3 December 2018.
At Sheffield Crown Court, a majority jury found Mathias guilty of murder on Monday 30 January. The trial heard from 14 medical experts who detailed Hunter’s multiple fractures and bruises, including serious head injuries.
Detectives Praise Justice for Hunter
Senior investigating officer DCI Mark Oughton said: “My team and I have been fighting for justice for Hunter for over four years. I am incredibly pleased today’s sentence reflects the horror of Mathias’s actions.”
The judge also praised the investigation team for their hard work on this challenging case.
Mathias’s Arrest and Guilty Plea
Mathias, from Stonebridge Lane, was first arrested on 5 December 2018. He was bailed, then rearrested on 17 October 2019. Charged with Hunter’s murder and Section 18 assault on 1 February 2021, he offered no comment during interviews.
After the verdict, DCI Oughton added: “We will never know exactly what happened during Hunter’s bath time on 30 November 2018; what we do know is that he suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of his father.”
