‘Culture of cruelty’: Mother and stepfather jailed over death of 10-month-old son

Craig Crouch and Gemma Barton convicted earlier this week over death of Jacob Crouch in December 2020

A mother and stepfather have been jailed over the death of a 10-month-old boy who endured “repeated physical abuse” as part of a “culture of cruelty”.

Craig Crouch, 39, was convicted on Wednesday of the “vicious” murder of Jacob Crouch at their Derbyshire home in December 2020, as well as three counts of child cruelty.

Jacob’s mother, Gemma Barton, 33, was cleared of murder and manslaughter but found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child, and one count of child cruelty.

Prosecutors said Jacob endured “significant pain and suffering” and was “assaulted on a regular basis” (Derbyshire Police/PA Wire)

Crouch was jailed to life with a minimum term of 28 years on Friday while Barton was given a 10-year sentence, after the pair were remanded into custody by Mr Justice Kerr following the guilty verdicts.

Jailing Crouch, Mr Justice Kerr said the offence was “an abuse of trust of the grossest kind”, adding: “You have not shown any remorse for what you did.”

Mr Kerr said Crouch, of Moira, Leicestershire, was “domineering, aggressive, boastful and arrogant”, behaviour Barton tolerated due to “misplaced affection”.

Barton, of Heanor, Derbyshire, wept in the dock as her sentence was handed down, with the judge telling her: “You either knew or should have known the risk to Jacob from Mr Crouch, and did nothing to protect him from it.”

The pair were convicted following a seven-week trial at Derby Crown Court, which heard that Jacob endured “significant pain and suffering” and was “assaulted on a regular basis” by Crouch over six months, culminating in a “vicious” assault that tore his stomach.

The youngster was found dead in his cot on 30 December 2020 at the family home in Foxley Chase, Linton, Swadlincote, despite Crouch claiming in a 999 call that Jacob was “fine” just two hours before he died.

A mother and stepfather have been jailed over the death of a 10-month-old boy who endured their “repeated physical abuse” (PA Media)

A post-mortem examination found that he had died as a result of peritonitis – an infection of the lining of the abdominal organs – caused by a traumatic bowel perforation.

Dr Michael Biggs, a forensic pathologist, told the trial that this could have only been caused by blunt force trauma, such as a punch, kick or stamp.

Further examinations found that Jacob also had 39 rib fractures, 19 visible bruises and internal injuries, which Dr Biggs likened to those seen in car crash victims.

In a victim statement, read out in court by prosecutor, Mary Prior KC, Jacob’s father Andrew Smith told of how his pain will be with him for a lifetime.

He said: “I never got to meet him. All I have is a photo to remember him by. I will never be able to hug him and celebrate his achievements. I will never be able to buy him his first pint when he turns 18. You have taken Jacob and all the memories we would have shared.

A post-mortem examination found that Jacob Crouch had died as a result of peritonitis – an infection of the lining of the abdominal organs – caused by a traumatic bowel perforation (PA Media)

“The pain will be with me for a lifetime. It will never go away.

“I can’t understand how or why you could inflict the injuries you did, Craig. My boy has some justice now, but it will never be enough for his suffering.”

In his statement, also read out by Mrs Prior, Malcolm Barton, Jacob’s maternal grandfather, called Crouch a liar. He added: “We did not like Craig at all. His lies were huge and unbelievable.”

Describing Jacob as “such a happy little lad”, he said: “He was sitting on the floor and crawling about and I remember he was playing with his great-grandad’s walking stick.

“We have lost the opportunity to see Jacob grow up, we will never see him have his 18th birthday, get married and have children of his own.”

In his sentencing remarks, Mr Kerr said: “Jacob was a happy, smiley, bubbly baby who never complained about the horrific treatment he was receiving. He had to put up with it, and he did, often with a smile in defiance of his tormentor.

A custody van is driven into Derby Crown Court, where Gemma Barton and Craig Crouch have been sentenced following the death of 10-month-old baby Jacob Crouch (Jacob King/PA Wire)

“Even those who never knew Jacob personally will miss him. It is nothing less than tragic that he will never become a boy, and then a man”.

Crouch was also given concurrent eight-year, six-year and one-year sentences for three counts of child cruelty.

In text messages, Crouch told Barton she needed to be more “regimental” with Jacob, claimed he was “starting to get really pissed off with him” and talked about bathing him in bleach.

Crouch, a former forklift driver at JCB, denied ever having harmed Jacob and suggested the injuries could have been caused by his stepson falling over or hitting himself with a toy, an explanation that a consultant paediatrician labelled “not remotely” possible.

The jury unanimously rejected Crouch’s account after four days of deliberation.

Barton also denied ever having hurt her son, instead blaming her partner, and said that she went along with Crouch’s parenting style as it was “Craig’s way or no way”.

Speaking outside Derby Crown Court following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Paul Bullock, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said the case was “particularly harrowing”, adding: “While no sentence can bring Jacob back, we hope today’s sentence brings the families some closure on what has been a horrific two-and-a-half years.”

Andrew Baxter, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor at Crown Prosecution Service East Midlands, said: “Instead of nurturing Jacob, Crouch murdered him and Barton knew what was happening but did nothing to protect him from harm. The fact they behaved in this way towards a child so young makes their conduct all the more horrifying.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Jacob was one of 36 children who died in England following abuse and maltreatment at home in 2020. For large parts of the year, due to lockdowns, children were cut off from their usual support systems and the wider community, making those at risk of abuse more vulnerable to serious harm.

“We would urge anyone who has concerns for a child’s safety to contact the relevant authorities or the NSPCC Helpline, which provides free and confidential help and advice.”