A postman who killed his girlfriend’s toddler after changing into “irritated” with him has been jailed for manslaughter.
Scott Coombe repeatedly attacked 18-month-old Andrew Cawker over the course of a yr after shifting into Tamika Beaton’s flat in southeast London, earlier than inflicting a deadly head damage on the boy.
Beaton, 25, suspected her son was being abused however selected to not intervene or search assist, the Metropolitan Police mentioned.
Andrew died after he was vigorously shaken and thrown by Coombe, who had turn out to be “irritated” with caring for him whereas Beaton was at a dance class in July 2019.
The toddler by no means regained consciousness after his head hit the ground and he died in hospital two weeks later.
At the Old Bailey on Friday, Coombe was jailed for 9 years after admitting manslaughter, youngster cruelty and assaulting the toddler on three events.
Beaton was sentenced to 12 months suspended for 18 months after being discovered responsible of kid cruelty.
After fatally injuring Andrew, Coombe referred to as 999 and claimed the teen had began “looking a bit stiff” and had suffered a seizure, the courtroom heard.
However, hospital employees raised issues that the accidents couldn’t have been unintended.
The 24-year-old postman was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily hurt after which additional arrested on suspicion of homicide after Andrew’s loss of life.
Photos of toddler’s accidents
A autopsy examination discovered the kid died from a head damage, whereas a number of different bruises have been recognized round his face and shoulder.
A pathologist concluded Coombe’s account of what occurred was “implausible” given the extent of accidents suffered by the toddler.
During the police investigation, detectives discovered photos and messages documenting Andrew’s accidents on the telephones of each Coombe and Beaton.
Police mentioned it was clear from the telephone proof that Andrew’s accidents occurred whereas he was within the sole care of Coombe, who had entered a relationship with Beaton in July 2018.
Beaton had cheated on Andrew’s father, Ben Cawker, with Coombe after she met him at a health class, the courtroom heard.
Mr Cawker grew to become “very concerned” when Beaton despatched him a photograph of accidents to Andrew’s ribs in April 2019, jurors have been instructed.
However, Beaton prompt to her ex-partner that he might have induced the injuries whereas he was taking care of their son.
She repeated the accusations throughout a police interview, regardless of realizing the accidents occurred when Andrew was being sorted by Coombe alone.
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In messages to her mom, Beaton indicated she was conscious that Andrew was being harm in Coombe’s care however she selected to not take motion and allowed the abuse to proceed, the Met Police mentioned.
Prosecutor Sally O’Neill KC instructed the courtroom: “Not only did she do nothing to protect Andrew from being injured by Scott Coombe, she tried to cover up the injuries by blaming Ben Cawker, his father, for causing them.
“She was placing her personal pursuits earlier than these of Andrew – with essentially the most catastrophic penalties for Andrew.”
The prosecutor said Coombe had admitted manslaughter on the basis that he “grew to become irritated with (Andrew) and picked him up by grabbing his higher arms and, in a second of anger and frustration, shook him vigorously backwards and forwards briefly after which threw him backwards”.
Photographs taken of Andrew before he died showed the toddler looking miserable, jurors were told.
The court heard that Andrew had been due to start nursery, but Beaton did not take him because of the questions staff might raise about his bruises.
Coombe, of Petts Wood, southeast London, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at a hearing at the Old Bailey in February.
Beaton, from Peckham, was found guilty of child cruelty following a trial at the same court in October.
‘Defenceless child suffered prolonged abuse’
Detective Sergeant Quinn Cutler, who led the police investigation, said Beaton’s “inaction most definitely performed an element” in her son’s death.
“This is an completely heart-breaking case the place a defenceless youngster has sustained extended abuse by the hands of those that ought to have been caring for him, leading to his loss of life,” the senior officer said.
“Andrew ought to have been within the place the place he felt secure; at dwelling along with his mom and her associate.
“However, over the course of a year, Andrew suffered regular assaults at the hands of Scott Coombe culminating in the attack on 9 July 2019 which proved to be fatal.
“His mom, Tamika Beaton, clearly suspected Coombe was chargeable for these accidents however selected to not intervene or search assist. Indeed, when questioned by police she sought to position the blame on one other man.
“While Beaton did not directly inflict injuries on her son, her inaction most certainly played a part in his death.”
Source: information.sky.com”