£250,000 award for baby shaken by her father

A little girl whose father shook her so violently she was left with severe brain damage has been given a record payout.

Julie Ann Gates was two months old when Alan Ellis inflicted the injuries while her mother was at work. Now, four years later, she has been awarded £250,000 compensation for the harm she suffered, which has left her unable to control her limbs or recognise her own mother.

She has daily fits and is not expected to live beyond 20.

Experts say her senses are so damaged she cannot distinguish her mother's face, voice or smell.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority may make further awards to pay for the 24-hour care she needs. For the first time, they agreed to pay for a trust fund to protect the money from Ellis, who was convicted of grievous bodily harm and served 18 months of a threeyear jail term.

"This was a heart-rending case," said a compensation authority spokesman. "Julie Ann was clearly an innocent victim and we are delighted by this outcome."

Her mother Mandy Gates, 21, said: "I would rather have my daughter able to walk and talk than the money but it makes a difference because I will be able to get things for Julie Ann that the NHS won't be able to give us to make her life and mine a bit easier."

Miss Gates met Ellis when they both worked at McDonald'sin Feltham. She was a 16-year-old assistant and he was a married 32-year-old maintenance manager. She said: "He was funny and kind... a very quiet, calm person and never showed his temper."

The couple moved in with his mother after he left his wife. Julie Ann was born a few months later.

One afternoon in 2001, Miss Gates left Julie Ann in Ellis's care, as usual, while she went to work. An hour later he called to say something had happened to Julie Ann. "She was purple and floppy and looked really bruised. When she vomited it was reddish brown," said Miss Gates. "I was really worried and just couldn't believe how one minute she was happy and the next she was like this. It just didn't add up."

At hospital the baby was revived four times.

"He told me when he tried to give her a bottle she spat it out and just went floppy. When police arrested Alan I thought they'd got it so wrong," she said.

In fact it was many months before she could be convinced of Ellis's guilt.

After the couple split up, Julie Ann was taken into foster-care and came close to being adopted. For 18 months Miss Gates never missed an access appointment. She and her mother even pawned their jewellery so they could afford the bus fare.

Then Miss Gates confessed she was still seeing Ellis in secret. Her barrister warned her she might lose her daughter for good, and he finally convinced her Julie Ann's cerebral palsy could not have been caused by anything other than Ellis shaking the child.

"Social services gave us a big file showing he had a background of child cruelty and I was absolutely horrified," said Miss Gates. "I hate him now and want nothing-to do with him. He should have got life. I know he's out now but I haven't seen him."

Doctors said Julie Ann would never be able to communicate, but she is proving them wrong. On good days she makes loud noises and smiles, and she attends a special needs school.

"I love it when she's vocal and when her whole face lights up with a smile she's gorgeous. That's the only reason I am managing to be happy, because my baby is such an inspiration," said Miss Gates.

Julie Ann's solicitor, Joanna Chapman of Bolt Burdon Claims, said: "Julie Ann's life has been tragically altered by this violent incident."