Mother screams 'murderer' at ex-partner as pair found guilty over baby son's death

'No child should have to suffer in the way that he did'

Stanley Davis, who died aged 28 days in March. His mother and her ex-boyfriend were found guilty of causing or allowing his death (PA)

A woman convicted over her baby’s death from a “horrific” head injury screamed at her ex-boyfriend in court, calling him a “murderer” as they were both found guilty.

Roxanne Davis, 30, and former partner Samuel Davies, 24, caused or allowed the death of Stanley Davis who died aged just three weeks after suffering multiple serious injuries.

Winchester Crown Court heard that the baby died of a skull fracture and brain haemorrhage at only 24 days old on 28 March last year, after his mother and her ex-boyfriend hid the extent of his suffering from medical personnel.

He had also suffered 32 fractures to his ribs and nine fractures to his arms and legs sustained on three separate occasions, police said.

As jurors announced their verdicts Davies, who was not the child’s biological father, shook his head and Davis sobbed, prompting Judge Jane Miller QC to call for her to be quiet.

After the pair were told they were to be held in custody ahead of sentencing, Davis, of Gosport in Hampshire, shouted: “You have got it wrong, Sam just tell them you done it. Thanks a lot Sam, you murderer.”

Judge Miller said: “I cannot countenance either of them being on bail.”

In a statement issued after the verdict, Detective Chief Inspector Fiona Bitters, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “The extent of Stanley’s injuries at such a young age were truly shocking, no child should have to suffer in the way that he did.”

The court heard that the former couple, who are not married but share similar surnames, had a difficult relationship. Police being called to their Gosport flat on March 13 by neighbours who reported shouting coming from inside.

The first sign that Stanley had suffered any harm was when a health visitor found a bruise behind his right ear on 16 March – which a hospital consultant misdiagnosed as a birth mark, according to the BBC.

Both defendants tested positive for cocaine and cannabis following their arrest after Stanley was taken to hospital that day.

On the previous day, 15 March, Davies had taken a photograph of an article in The Sun newspaper about a mother who had taken her dead baby on to a bus to avoid detection over the child’s death from a head injury.

The court also heard that Davis had posted a video on Facebook on March 20 – the day before Stanley was taken to hospital for the second time, seriously ill – of Stanley having a fit. She added the comment: “My baby is 16 days should he be doing this already.”

The boy died a week later after doctors at Southampton General Hospital ruled his life-support machines should be turned off, police said.

Giving evidence, Davis told the court that when her son was born she was “over the moon”, and added: “I had my whole world in my hands.”

Davies told the court that Stanley had been looked after by him, his ex-girlfriend and her family, and added: “That baby from day two was passed around like a parcel.”

Carl Anderson, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “During post-natal appointments and check-ups, Davis and Davies gave medical staff the impression there were no problems with Stanley and only reported difficulties in getting him to take his milk.

“The reality was quite different. Both knew Stanley had already suffered serious injuries but neither said anything, leaving Stanley without the medical attention he desperately needed.

“Both the defendants denied killing Stanley but it was clear from all the evidence that one of them had caused the horrific head injury that killed him.

“The other was, or should have been aware, that there was a risk of serious harm to Stanley because of the multiple fractures he had already suffered but instead of doing something to prevent anything further happening to him, they did nothing.

“Our thoughts are with the members of Stanley’s extended family who have lost a child in such harrowing circumstances.”

Hampshire’s Safeguarding Children Board said an investigation was being carried out into the handling of Stanley’s care by authorities.

Additional reporting by PA