The Crime Pulse Daily

Former Window Cleaner Found Guilty of Mu*rdering Three-Month-Old Son

A former window cleaner has been convicted of mur*dering his three-month-old son after inflicting devastating injuries that medical experts described as catastrophic.

Bradley Thomas, 23, from Redcar, was found guilty at Teesside Crown Court of ki*lling his baby son, Emmerson Oak Thomas, in October 2025. The infant died three days after being rushed to hospital with severe brain injuries.

The court heard that Thomas was alone with Emmerson when the incident occurred. Prosecutors said he became frustrated while attempting to settle the baby and violently shook him, causing injuries so severe that specialists compared them to those sustained in a fall from a third-floor window onto concrete.

Thomas denied deliberately harming his son and claimed the infant had slipped from his lap while being fed. However, medical experts rejected that explanation, telling jurors it would have been impossible for a short fall onto a carpeted floor to cause the extensive injuries discovered.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Emmerson suffered significant bleeding on the brain, bleeding along the spinal cord, and haemorrhaging behind both eyes. Doctors concluded the injuries were non-accidental and consistent with ab*usive head trauma.

The child's mother, Thomas's partner of nearly two years, testified that she awoke to Thomas screaming in panic. When she reached her son, she found him pale, limp, and unresponsive. Thomas had recorded a video showing the baby's laboured breathing before the mother immediately began CPR and instructed him to call emergency services.

Paramedics arrived to find Emmerson deeply unconscious. Despite intensive medical treatment, he died three days later in hospital.

The court also heard that cannabis was discovered at the family home and that Thomas had smoked at least one cannabis joint shortly before the incident.

As the guilty verdict was delivered, Thomas broke down in tears while emotional reactions were heard from members of the public gallery. Mr Justice Sheldon acknowledged the distress caused by the case but urged those present to maintain decorum in court. He also thanked the jury for their service throughout the trial.

Thomas is due to be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on 15 July, where he faces a mandatory life sentence for murder.

Adoptive Parents Found Guilty in Tragic De*ath of Baby Preston

A court has heard how a 13-month-old boy suffered months of abuse before his tragic de*ath at the hands of his adoptive parents.

Jamie Varley, 37, a former teacher, was convicted of mur*dering baby Preston just four months after adopting him. Jurors heard evidence that the toddler was subjected to re*peated ph*ysical and se*xual abuse, resulting in num*erous injuries before his de*ath.

Varley was found guilty after a trial that revealed the extent of the mistreatment Preston endured while in his care. The court heard that the child suffered dozens of in*juries over a sustained period before he was fatally harmed.

Co-defendant John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was convicted of multiple child cru*elty offences, se*xual assault of a child, and allowing the d*eath of a child.

Investigators uncovered disturbing evid*ence during the inquiry, including photographs and records that played a significant role in the prosecution's case. The jury was told that Preston had suffered ex*tensive ab*use leading up to his de*ath.

Following the guilty verdicts, both men are ex*pected to receive lengthy prison sentences. Reports suggest prison authorities are preparing for their arrival into custody due to the nature of the offences and the attention the case has received.

The case has shocked communities across the UK, with many paying tribute to Preston and calling for justice for the young victim. Sentencing is expected to take place tomorrow.

𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝟏𝟖 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐦 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐦. 𝐅𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥, 𝐇𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐞

There is a detail in this story that stops you cold. Morrill Fire Chief Dean Rowlands — the man who leads the department Andrew Cross dedicated himself to — was standing right beside him when it happened. The two of them were the first from Morrill to arrive at Robbins Lumber that Friday morning. They arrived together. Only one of them came home. The explosion that killed Andrew Cross happened just 15 minutes after they got there.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝
Fire Captain Brian Simmons of the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department described Andrew as a staple of their town and department — someone he had known since Andrew was just a little kid growing up in Morrill. Chief Rowlands remembered him in the most simple and honest way a man can be remembered.

"Everybody liked him as soon as they met him," Rowlands said. "He comes from a really good family, a really tight-knit family."

Andrew worked the second shift at Bath Iron Works, which often left him free to respond to fire calls during the day. His colleagues said he leaves behind a legacy of service and sacrifice. He wasn't just filling a role. He was, in the words of the people who stood beside him, a true firefighter.

𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 — 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞
Captain Simmons said Andrew was a go-getter who took safety seriously every time he stepped into a dangerous situation. "He was a true firefighter, really. I mean, safety, safety, safety. So, he was right there," Simmons said.

That is the heartbreaking truth of this story. Andrew Cross did everything right. He showed up. He was prepared. He cared deeply. And he was taken anyway — in an instant — by an explosion that gave nobody any warning.

𝐀 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚
Senator Susan Collins, whose own staff member had known Andrew for years, said he was a kindhearted, hardworking Maine man who loved his family, his dogs and the people of his community — always seen with a smile on his face. She said his life is a shining example of the courage and selfless love found in towns and cities across this nation.

"Our first responders give more than we could ever repay," Collins said. "May Andrew's memory be a blessing." Irish Examiner
Funeral arrangements and memorial details will be shared as they become available. To the Cross family, to Chief Rowlands, to every firefighter who answered that call on Friday morning — this country sees you. This country thanks you. And this country will not forget Andrew.

Rest in peace, Andrew Cross. A true firefighter. A true American. 🇺🇸

𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐫: 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐀 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 — 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐫

As the legal proceedings reach a pivotal juncture at Nenagh District Court, the community pauses to honor the memory of Scarlett Faulkner—remembering her not simply as a victim, but as a devoted mother, daughter, sister, and friend whose life was cut tragically short.

𝐀 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲’𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞

At her funeral, the 29-year-old was remembered as a loving mother whose world revolved around her family. In a deeply moving tribute, her sister Victoria vowed that the family would not rest until justice is fully served. Scarlett belonged to a large, tight-knit family of 16 siblings, and the unwavering strength shown by her parents, affectionately known to the community as Banny and Mary, has deeply touched those around them.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥

In the wake of this heartbreak, the Faulkner family has rallied around Scarlett's young daughter, Oceanna, promising to shield her with love and ensure her mother’s memory lives on. The proud and resilient family has also fiercely protected Scarlett's legacy by speaking out against online scammers attempting to exploit the tragedy through fraudulent fundraising pages, making it clear they seek no charity—only peace, dignity, and accountability.

𝐀 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

As the Director of Public Prosecutions moves forward with legal directions in court, Scarlett’s name continues to resonate across the country. She was just 29 years old with her entire future ahead of her, leaving behind a little girl who needed her. She deserved to return home safely to her family, and Ireland will ensure she is never forgotten.