Man from Houghton Regis handed life sentence for killing partner's six-month old baby

A man from Bedfordshire has been handed a life sentence for murdering his partner’s six-month old baby boy with a minimum term of 21 years behind bars.

Kieran Humphreys violently shook six-month old Archie Woodbridge while he had been left in the sole care of the child, causing a fatal brain injury and fractured ribs.

Archie's mother, Saskia Woodbridge, who was 19 at the time, had begun a relationship with Humphreys around one week before her son was killed.

Luton Crown Court heard Humphreys was on bail at the time of the offence which prohibited him from having unsupervised contact with a child under the age of 16 years old.

Humphreys, aged 33, of Bromley Gardens, Houghton Regis, denied unlawfully killing Archie throughout a three-week trial but was convicted of murder and child cruelty in November last year.

Police say, instead of calling an ambulance immediately, Humphreys took Archie to a relative’s property in Bromley Gardens, and an ambulance was called approximately 90 minutes after the injuries occurred.

Adding that Humphreys lied to officers, telling them that Archie had been with his mother when he became ill and that an ambulance had been called straight away.

The court heard relatives and friends of Humphreys tried covering up the circumstances into how Archie died. They have been sentenced for perverting the course of justice.

Sharon Humphries, 59, received 9 months, Karen Smith, 40, was sentenced to 12 months, and Sam Wyatt, 34, was handed 15 months,

In a tribute to her baby, Ms Woodbridge said: “Archie came into this world two months early. He fought hard for his life in his first few weeks. Kieran claimed to love Archie, but his actions were the opposite. Kieran ripped Archie from this world, in an evilness that is unmatched.

“All my life, all I ever wanted - more than anything - was to become a mum. Archie gave me this wish - he made me a mum. Kieran has taken away the most precious thing in my world. I once told Kieran that I couldn’t imagine losing a child. Through his actions, and his actions alone, he has ensured that I now know the agony of this.

“Archie was a real boy who had birthdays to come, milestones to reach and people to cheer him on and watch him as he grew. He was, is, and always will be loved and cherished. No one can take that away.”

Adding: "My sentence began the moment Archie was pronounced dead in my arms".

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gardner from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “This was a deeply distressing case in which a defenceless baby lost his life at the hands of someone who should have been caring for him.

“Kieran Humphreys’ actions reveal a distinctly self-serving approach, as his primary concern was to save himself rather than prioritising Archie’s welfare by attempting to cover his tracks.

“My thoughts are with Archie’s family at this difficult time – nothing can bring him back, but I hope today’s verdict brings some measure of justice and peace.

“We will always pursue the truth in cases like this, no matter how complex or painful, to ensure those responsible are held fully accountable.”

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