Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Woman jailed for abducting baby

Damien Pearse
Friday 02 October 1998 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A WOMAN who duped her way into a young mother's home then knocked her unconscious with a hammer before snatching her four-month-old baby daughter was yesterday jailed for three and a half years.

A judge at Wolverhampton Crown Court described the actions of Diane Dovey, of Willenhall, West Midlands, as "wicked and pre-meditated".

The court was told how Dovey, 24, had attacked the mother last December after claiming she had some baby equipment to sell her last. She was arrested several hours later with the baby.

Peter Arnold, prosecuting, said that when she arrived at her former lover's home with the baby wrapped in blankets she said: "Here is your son."

The court was told how the defendant lived in a fantasy world and believed that she had been pregnant.

Dovey was sentenced to a total of 18-months imprisonment for wounding and the baby abduction. She was jailed for a further two years for a separate robbery, to be served consecutively.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in