- Stepfather Found Guilty of Murdering 10-Month-Old Stepson
- Mother Acquitted of Murder but Convicted of Child Cruelty
- Child Suffered 39 Thoracic Fractures and 19 Visible Bruises
Jacob Crouch passed away alone in his cot at his residence in Linton, close to Swadlincote, on 30 December 2020. Later, it was determined that he had 39 thoracic fractures, 19 visible bruises, and multiple internal injuries.
A stepfather was found guilty of murdering his 10-month-old stepson’s infant son.
Jacob Crouch was born healthy on 17 February 2020 and perished alone in his cot in Linton, near Swadlincote, Derbyshire, on 30 December 2020.
Later, it was determined that he had 39 thoracic fractures, 19 visible bruises, and multiple internal injuries.
Craig Crouch, his 39-year-old stepfather, was found guilty of homicide and three counts of child cruelty after four days of jury deliberation following a seven-week trial at Derby Crown Court.
Gemma Barton, the boy’s mother, was acquitted of murder, an alternative allegation of manslaughter, and two counts of child cruelty, but convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child and a third count of child cruelty.
Speaking outside of court, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Bullock of the Derbyshire Police stated, “Jacob Crouch was born into a culture of cruelty in which both of the people he should have been able to trust most allowed him to endure assault after assault.
“Heartbreakingly, Jacob would have endured considerable pain for the majority of his short life as a result of the severe and repeated assaults.
“It is evident from the text messages, videos, and audio recordings found on Gemma Barton and Craig Crouch’s phones that they were equally responsible for the culture of cruelty that was inflicted on baby Jacob.”
He added, “As a father, I am unable to comprehend what transpired behind closed doors, and my thoughts are with Jacob’s extended family, who are devastated by his passing.”
The phrase ‘vicious assault’
In June, when prosecutor Mary Prior KC opened the case, she stated, “Neither sought medical assistance for Jacob at any point for the pain and suffering caused by his broken bones or the few days that followed.”
She added, “Neither rescued Jacob from a life filled with significant episodes of anguish and suffering.
As a baby, Jacob did not receive the care he required and merited.
Ms. Prior stated that Jacob’s death was the result of a “vicious assault” that was the culmination of a “culture of cruelty” characterized by recurrent abuse.
Dr. Sarah Dixon, a consultant pediatrician, testified in court that in the weeks, days, and hours preceding Jacob’s death, he endured “repeated physical abuse” and that it was “not remotely” conceivable that the injuries were self-inflicted.
Dr. Michael Biggs, a forensic pathologist, concluded that the traumatic bowel perforation that led to the fatal infection could only have been caused by blunt force trauma, such as a strike, kick, or stamp.
In addition, he stated that he would expect to see such injuries in victims of automobile collisions and multi-story falls.
Jacob perished after contracting peritonitis, an infection of the lining of the abdominal organs, and sustaining rib fractures in at least five separate assaults, according to expert testimony.
While Dr. Biggs stated that Jacob’s injuries would have rendered him “systematically unwell” in the hours leading up to his death, Crouch claimed in a 999 call that Jacob was “fine” two hours before he was pronounced dead by paramedics.
“It was not me, leaving Craig”
Crouch, a JCB forklift operator, testified that Jacob’s injuries had “nothing to do with me” and that he “didn’t see anything” and “didn’t see anyone do anything to hurt” his stepson.
Barton also denied ever assaulting her son, and when asked who could have caused the injuries, she replied, “It was not me so that leaves Craig.”
She stated that her son was her “bundle of joy” and that it felt as if her “whole world had just ended” when she was awoken by Crouch screaming that Jacob was deceased.
In June 2020 text messages, Crouch advised Barton that she needed to be “more regimental” with Jacob to “not let this take over us,” later alleging he was “starting to get pissed off with him.
Text messages referring to the infant as “the devil”
Other messages revealed the couple at one point referred to Jacob as the “devil” and contemplated feeding him his vomit, sending him to bed, or hitting him for “irrational crying.”
In September, when Barton informed Crouch that she was bathing Jacob, Crouch responded, “3 feet deep, just hot water and some bleach X,” which he later described as “banter” in a police interview.
Videos played in court showed Crouch dunking a sobbing three-month-old Jacob into a paddling pool in May 2020, and the infant in a highchair with a visible bruise on his right cheek in the final week of his life.
After being detained on 5 January 2021, the couple resumed their relationship despite their bail conditions prohibiting contact between them.
According to Ms. Prior, this demonstrates that “what mattered to them was their love affair and love story.”
On Friday, Crouch and Barton will be sentenced in the same court.
