Parents jailed in landmark child cruelty case in Essex

Two people have been jailed for a total of more than 23 years for the sustained abuse and starvation of a child in Essex.

Essex Police described the case as landmark and said it led to a rare conviction for grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent.

The force said the charge carries significantly greater sentencing powers than offences such as child neglect or causing or permitting serious physical harm to a child.

A man and a woman were found guilty after a five-week trial at Ipswich Crown Court and were jailed on Friday 23rd October.

The man was jailed for 12 years and the woman for 11 years.

Both denied the charges.

Legal restrictions mean the child cannot be identified, and the man and woman cannot be named.

Essex Police said this was to protect the child's anonymity and wellbeing and to ensure his story could be told in full.

How the child was found

Police and social services found the child in the Colchester area in May 2020.

He was taken to hospital critically underweight and malnourished, with a dangerously low BMI which police said was incompatible with life.

He was unsteady on his feet, frequently shook and had suffered significant muscle wastage.

Police said doctors suggested any delay in medical attention could have been fatal.

The man and woman were arrested and an investigation began.

What officers found

Officers in Essex Police's public protection unit found pictures and videos which they said clearly showed the child had been severely neglected and starved between January and May 2020.

Police said he had been isolated in a small room without enough food, any stimulation for his development or a comfortable and warm place to sleep.

The floor was covered with green tarpaulin rather than carpet, and the room was locked from the outside.

The child spent a long period in hospital and police said he is continuing to physically recover.

He has also had several years of psychological support and treatment and is now in a safe and loving environment, according to police.

The man and woman were charged with GBH with intent.

A landmark case

Essex Police believes the case is landmark because the defendants were convicted of GBH with intent rather than neglect-related offences.

The force said this reflected the seriousness of the harm caused to the child.

It said the approach was pursued jointly with the Crown Prosecution Service so the charges accurately reflected the extent of the child's suffering and the deliberate nature of the offending.

Detective's tribute

Detective Inspector Luke Baldwin, of Essex Police's north public protection unit, said: "This is the most distressing case we have dealt with as a team and all involved remain deeply affected by it."

He also said: "The harm caused to this child is unthinkable. He was isolated, with nothing to sleep on, no clothes and starved of food for months."

DI Baldwin said: "Since the couple were charged, there have been unavoidable delays which I am sure left the victim wondering if the couple would ever be held accountable."

He also said: "However, we can now tell him they have been and that none of what happened to him is in any way his fault."

DI Baldwin said: "This outcome has only been made possible by the perseverance and incredibly strong work with our Essex social care partners."

He also said: "There have been so many steps taken across a number of organisations to ensure this child's safety and wellbeing and I hope the public will understand that almost none of them can be shared publicly."

DI Baldwin said: "But I would truly like to pay tribute to the work of one officer in particular who has since retired. His personal sacrifices and incredible diligence were instrumental in the couple being charged with GBH with intent."

He also said: "Since his retirement, the case has been navigated through court expertly by DC Katie Steed. Without their work, we may not have reached this outcome."

DI Baldwin said: "But most of all my thoughts are with the young victim in this case and every single member of our team truly hopes he is able to move forward."

Judge's comments

Sentencing the pair, His Honour Judge Richard Kelly said the child had been "deliberately starved" and "kept prisoner" in a room he described as "little more than a cupboard with a window".

Referring to videos taken of the boy, the judge said the pair had treated the boy "in a shockingly humiliating way".

He said the man and woman showed "not a jot of remorse".

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