PAIR CONVICTED AFTER A BABY WAS LEFT WITH CATASTROPHIC INJURIES
Update 17/12/2025: Amy Cave, 21, of Waltham Close, Darlington, has been jailed for 10 years.It's been told that the child was making progress but would have permanent health problems as a result of the injuries.
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A Darlington couple have been convicted after a baby in their care was left with catastrophic injuries, including a severe brain trauma that required part of the child’s skull to be removed for emergency treatment.
Emergency crews were called to an address in the Branksome area on May 26, when a report came in that an infant had stopped breathing.
Paramedics found the baby covered in bruises across their body, face, and neck, with burns to one hand, a broken jaw, and both wrists fractured in multiple places.
Doctors at hospital later confirmed the child had also suffered a fractured skull and a major brain injury, leading to urgent surgery to relieve pressure on the brain.
Amy Cave, aged 20, from Waltham Close, and Craig Neill, aged 26, from Yarm Road, were arrested shortly after the incident.
Both denied harming the child.
Medical specialists concluded the injuries were consistent with repeated blunt-force trauma and could not have been caused accidentally.
The prosecution told the Teesside Crown Court jury that Cave, who had recently begun a relationship with Neill, claimed the baby’s injuries were caused by an accidental fall onto a coffee table.
Jurors also heard that Neill’s history of violence had caused concern among Cave’s relatives before the incident occurred.
When questioned by police, Neill initially denied being present at the home when the child was hurt.
Cave also tried to protect him, telling officers he had not been there—only to later admit she had lied because of her feelings for him.
Phone records showed Neill messaging Cave soon after the event, saying: “Don’t tell them anything about me, Amy… Promise me on [child’s] life you won’t.
I’ll go straight to jail.” During the trial, both defendants were warned by Judge Jonathan Carroll to control their behaviour after several outbursts in court.
Neill’s temper escalated while giving evidence, at one point refusing to answer further questions.
After several days of deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts against both defendants for causing or allowing a child to suffer serious physical harm.
They were remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a later date.
