By Jonathan McCambridge (PA)
A father who murdered his infant son has been told he must serve at least 20 years in prison before he can be considered for release.
Craig Rowland, 29, of Millington Park in Portadown, Co Armagh, was convicted last year at Belfast Crown Court of murdering Lewis Oliver Rowland, who died aged three in October 2018.
The child sustained life-changing brain injuries resulting in permanent and severe disability in November 2015, after being violently shaken by his father when he was 13 weeks old.
He died three years later from complications arising from surgery.
At a sentencing hearing on Thursday, Judge Justice O’Hara said Lewis’ death was a direct result of the injuries he had suffered three years earlier.
Lewis’ mother, Laura Graham, 32, of Edward Street in Lurgan, was placed on probation for three years for wilful neglect of a child.
Craig Rowland (Alan Lewis - Photopress Belfast/Photopress Belfast)
Man injured after house and three vehicles set alight in Co Antrim
IT system for Northern Ireland schools ‘largely restored’ following cyber attack
£100 home heating oil grant to be paid out by ‘summer at earliest’
Arrest made after hot water thrown over man at Co Tyrone court
Stormont urged to address ‘catastrophe’ in hospital emergency departments