Moment baby-killing father moans that his handcuffs are ‘too tight’ as he’s arrested for murdering his five-week-old daughter
A father who murdered his five-week-old baby was caught on police bodycam complaining his handcuffs were ‘too tight’.
Sean Jefferson, 35, of Walsall, West Midlands, is facing life in prison after being convicted of killing his daughter Darcy, who suffered a catastrophic brain injury and 47 rib fractures.
The youngster also had fractures to both of her legs after being subjected to multiple assaults in the ten days leading up to her death on March 29, 2022.
Jefferson was found guilty of murder and two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent at Stafford Crown Court on Monday.
Darcy’s mother, Amy Leigh Clark, of Lichfield, Staffordshire was convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child and two counts of causing or allowing serious harm to a child following the eight week trial.
Her parents called 999 on March 27, 2022 after Darcy became unresponsive. They were arrested the following day, only for their daughter to pass away 24 hours later.
Bodycam footage now released shows how Jefferson argued with police officers and complained his handcuffs were ‘too tight’.
When told he was being arrested for a fourth time in May 2024, Jefferson could be heard exclaiming: ‘Oh my f*****g god.’
Darcy died at just five weeks old two days after collapsing at home – she had sustained a catastrophic brain injury, 47 rib fractures and fractures to both legs
Sean Jefferson, 35, of Walsall, West Midlands, complained handcuffs that were placed on him were too tight and threatened to report two police officers during his fourth arrest in May 2024
The killer referred to the arresting officer as a ‘jobsworth’ and threatened to make a complaint about them, while whinging they were ‘hurting his hands.’
As he was cuffed, Jefferson says: ‘You said you weren’t going to handcuff me, you’re a jobsworth mate.
‘That’s a bit tight, that is mate. Look at that, see that? That’s very tight. Can you please loose it?’
The officer tells him to ‘stay still then’, only for Jefferson to demand his badge number and say: ‘I’m putting in a complaint about you. Simple, done.
‘That’s very tight. Can you please loose it? You’re hurting my hand, mate.’
He was told by the officers to ‘calm down’, but he responded: ‘Take it off then, hurry up.
‘I want your name and badge number, you’re abusing your rights now, mate. Simple. What is it, you getting a bit scared? It’s disgusting.’
Another officer explains he was getting the key to loosen the cuffs and Jefferson replies ‘I’m gonna report you as well. I’m not going to let it go either.’
Raising his voice, Jefferson says: ‘Stop asking silly questions. You’re holding me tight. This geezer is making me angry. I don’t like his attitude.
‘You’re squeezing them, geezer. It’s dented my arm.’
In footage released by Staffordshire Police, Jefferson is captured on doorbell footage while on the phone to emergency services following Darcy’s collapse
Amy Leigh Clark, of Lichfield, Staffordshire was convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child and two counts of causing or allowing serious harm to a child
Jefferson was found guilty of murder and two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent at Stafford Crown Court on Monday
The other officer says: ‘He isn’t squeezing them. They’ve been locked.’
The pair were initially arrested the day after police were called to the property on Mother’s Day 2022 after Darcy collapsed at home.
Darcy died in hospital two days later on March 29 and the parents were later charged in May last year.
An investigation found Darcy was subjected to horrific repeated physical abuse throughout the short five week life.
During the trial it was heard that Darcy was on a child protection plan and that a health visitor had noticed dark bruises and blood on her face during a visit days before her death.
She noted the little girl was ‘in some pain’ and crying during the visit.
She informed social workers, but no medical examination was ordered.
Jurors were told that the catastrophic brain injury Darcy suffered could have been sustained by somebody shaking her, or her head striking a hard surface.
Other footage released by Staffordshire Police included distressing audio of Darcy crying while Clark swore and shouted at her.
A record of a 999 call made after Darcy collapsed reveals how Jefferson told the operator: ‘She just stopped breathing’.
As the operator gives first aid instructions to him, Jefferson and Clark clarified the five-week-old was breathing ‘very faintly’.
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Fitzgerald, of Staffordshire Police, said after the case: ‘Today’s verdict concludes a profoundly distressing case involving the murder of five-week-old Darcy.
‘Her short life and tragic death must not be forgotten.
‘Darcy was violently abused and murdered by her father. Her mother allowed her death.
‘These were the people who should have loved and cared for her. It was despicable behaviour against a defenceless child.
‘It has been an exceptionally difficult investigation, and the thoughts of the entire investigation team remain with her elder sibling, who has faced an unimaginable loss and a lengthy judicial process.’
Jefferson and Clark will be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court at a date yet to be fixed.
