Couple who left one-year-old with fractured cranium, damaged wrists and a mind damage then denied any involvement are jailed
A couple who left a one-year-old baby with life-threatening injuries and then denied any responsibility have been jailed today.
Amy Cave, 21, and Craig Neill, 26, were sentenced to ten and 13 years in prison respectively at Teesside Crown Court for causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm.
The toddler, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had a fractured skull and was left fighting for its life after suffering multiple injuries over several weeks.
The court heard how the child may have been picked up and swung or thrown with force against a wall or floor in a house in Branksome, Darlington, in May this year, leaving them with brain damage.
Cave turned a blind eye to the abuse the child was suffering and was blamed for a vicious slap which left finger marks across the toddler’s face, the court heard.
Judge Jonathan Carroll branded Neill a ‘dangerous offender’ after hearing of his previous convictions for violence.
He said Cave was ‘self-delusional’ as she put her newly formed relationship with Neill ahead of anything else in her life, despite warnings from friends and family about his violent past.
‘Matters came to a head on May 26,’ the judge said. ‘Both Neill and Cave were present in her house and neither has given a proper truthful account of what happened to the child.
Craig Neill, 26, (pictured) was sentenced to 13 years in prison with an additional one year on extended licence for allowing or causing a child to suffer serious physical harm
Amy Cave, 21 (pictured) was sentenced to ten years in prison at Teesside Crown Court
‘They [the child] suffered a significant skull fracture consistent with traumatic injury from a blunt impact against a solid object.
‘One of these defendants had either picked the child up and swung them with force against a hard surface or threw them with force against a solid wall or floor causing the fracture and immediate life-threatening brain bleed.
‘I am satisfied that this violence was inflicted by Neill and I am satisfied that Cave was either present and saw it or was in the immediate vicinity and must have heard the impact.’
Durham Police previously said the toddler is now recovering well, despite everything they have endured.
Sentencing Cave to ten years in prison, he said: ‘Miss Cave knows what happened and chooses not to be truthful about it.’
Turning his attention to Neill, Judge Carroll said: ‘I have in mind the manner in which the defendant gave his evidence and general demeanour. Throughout, he was aggressive, attempting to be controlling and bullying.
‘He showed the temperament of a young man barely in control of himself and his temper.
‘I am satisfied that Craig Neill poses a serious risk to the public – he is a dangerous offender.’
Cave, of Waltham Close, Darlington, was found guilty of allowing or causing a child to suffer serious physical harm and was sentenced to ten years in prison.
Neill, of Yarm Road, Darlington, was sentenced to 13 years in prison with an additional one year on extended licence after he was convicted of the same charge.
Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, told the judge that Neill had shown ‘sadistic behaviour’ by inflicting a series of injuries of an ever-increasing magnitude.
‘He showed a deliberate disregard for the welfare of the victim,’ he said. ‘As far as it relates to Amy Cave, she failed to take any steps to protect the victim.’
The court heard how the toddler had to have part of their skull removed to relieve pressure on their brain after suffering significant head trauma.
The child also had multiple previous injuries, including two jaw fractures, fractures to both wrists, burns to a finger and thumb consistent with having a heat source held to their skin.
Nicholas Lumley KC, representing 21-year-old Cave, said his client ‘patently’ denies slapping the child across the face in the days leading up to the toddler suffering the head injury.
He added: ‘There is a significant distinction to be drawn between the person who inflicts the injuries, certainly the serious ones, and the person who stands by and allows it to happen.’
No mitigation was offered on behalf of Neill, who continued to maintain his innocence despite the conviction of the jury.
