Parents sentenced following death of baby daughter
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The parents of a five-month-old baby girl, who died in 2020, have been jailed for a combined total of 19 years.
The parents of a five-month-old baby girl, who died in 2020, have been jailed for a combined total of 19 years.
Joshua Collard, 30, of Stafford, and Rebecca Grocott, 27, of Stone, were found guilty after a five-week trial at Stafford Crown Court last week (Tuesday 18 July) after a jury heard how their baby girl, Ava Mae, had multiple fractures to her ribs, collar bone and femur. She had also suffered severe trauma to the side of her head, causing an injury to her ear.
(Grocott (left) and Collard (right))
They were both found guilty of cause/allow the death of a child, cause/allow serious physical harm to a child and two counts of assault/ill-treat/neglect/abandon a child/young person to cause unnecessary suffering/injury.
Collard was jailed for 11 years and Grocott was jailed for 8 years at the same court today (27 July).
Paramedics were called to the family home in Stone on 27 February 2020. They then called us with reports that a five-month-old baby girl was in cardiac arrest. When we arrived, paramedics were treating the baby in an ambulance and she was taken to hospital. Tragically, Ava Mae died on 1 March 2020.
(Ava Mae)
Grocott and Collard could not explain what had happened and following initial enquiries were arrested on 25 March 2020.
The judge commended the investigation team and in conjunction with the prosecution and the jury gave Ava a voice.
Detective Inspector Ian Pickstock, of the force’s Child Protection and Exploitation Team, said: “This is a truly tragic case in which a defenceless five-month-old baby girl died as a result of the actions of two people who should have protected her.
“I would, again, like to thank all of the officers and staff who worked on this case for helping to get justice for Ava Mae.
“We will continue to work with our partners to protect children like Ava from harm, to protect and safeguard children and prevent tragic cases like this one.”